Reasons to support the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
1. It saves lives.
Since VAWA came about in 1994, there have been consistent decreases in rates of rape and sexual assault, domestic violence homicide and nonfatal domestic violence (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape). Annual rates of sexual violence have declined by 58% from 1994 to 2010 (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape). Intimate partner homicide rates have declined by 35% for women and 46% for men between 1993 and 2007 (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape).
2. It saves money.
Sexual violence is the most costly violent crime in the US, incurring over $127 billion per year in both tangible (for example, medical care, criminal justice, lost wages, treatment) and intangible (for example, pain and suffering) costs (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape). VAWA costs approximately $1.6 billion to implement but has saved our country $14.8 billion (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape).
3. It benefits our entire community.
We are all affected by sexual assault, either directly or indirectly (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape). When we help a victim, we help a community (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape). Since VAWA has been enforced, collaborations among law enforcement, criminal justice, advocates, medical professionals have strengthened which have resulted in effective crime investigations, prosecutions and victim services (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape). Since 1994, rates of reported rapes to police have increased to A HIGH OF 59% IN 2003. In 2010, 80% of rape victims received medical treatment compared to 65% in 1994.
Reference:
Three reasons to support the Violence Against Women Act. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR). (n.d.). https://pcar.org/three-reasons-support-violence-against-women-act.