Violence Issues to Watch

The AAUW member-adopted Biennial Action Priorities support “freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.”

Index:

Updated: May 14, 2012

Federal Government Orders New Policies on Workplace Violence

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo mandating that federal agencies draft more comprehensive policies for addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the workplaces. The memo requires agencies to submit plans within four months and to issue final policies by 2014. OPM will host a series of webinars to guide agencies in updating their policies.

AAUW advocates for freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

- from AAUW's Washington Update for February 15, 2013.

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Violence Against Women Act Passed by the Senate

The Senate voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, showing bipartisan support for a measure that would reinstate domestic violence prevention programs and extend the law’s protections to gays and lesbians and women on tribal reservations. The bill also included campus safety provisions and a human trafficking bill was added as an amendment. The 78-to-22 vote puts pressure on the House to act to renew the 18-year-old measure, which Congress has twice reauthorized but which lapsed in 2011.

AAUW is a strong supporter of the bipartisan VAWA reauthorization bill passed by the Senate. VAWA will now move to the House, which has not announced when it will vote on the bill. Take action and urge your representative to support an inclusive VAWA reauthorization!

- from AAUW's Washington Update for February 15, 2013.

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AAUW Executive Director Publishes Op-Ed on School Climate, Gun Violence

AAUW Executive Director Linda Hallman, CAE, published a Huffington Post op-ed today urging lawmakers to address bullying, harassment, and school climate as part of their efforts to reduce gun violence in the wake of recent school shootings. AAUW's member-adopted Biennial Action Priorities support “freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.” AAUW members advocate for equitable school climates that are free of harassment, bullying, and discrimination because every student deserves a safe place to learn.

- from AAUW's Washington Update for February 1, 2013.

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Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan VAWA Reauthorization

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) reintroduced the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization on Tuesday. This is essentially the same bipartisan bill that the Senate passed in April 2012 to improve VAWA programs and ensure all victims get the services they need. Because the House didn't pass this version of VAWA before the end of 2012, the process needed to start over in the 113th Congress.

AAUW has long supported “freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.” Since its enactment in 1994, VAWA has saved lives and saved money. AAUW is a strong supporter of the bipartisan VAWA reauthorization bill introduced in the Senate, particularly because it includes campus safety provisions which will ensure that institutions of higher education have comprehensive procedures in place to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Take action now: Urge your senators to co-sponsor VAWA and move this bill forward!

- from AAUW's Washington Update for January 25, 2013.

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