CWA: President Obama Signs Violence Against Women Act, Critical Safeguards Restored

CWA issued this statement on the signing of the Violence Against Women Act

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With President Obama’s signature, the protections of the Violence Against Women Act finally are restored. The Communications Workers of America is pleased that the House of Representatives Republican majority finally put aside partisan politics to pass this important legislation.

CWA and Association of Flight Attendants-CWA helped spearhead the implementation of the Act in the early 1990s. Since then, this landmark legislation has brought offenders to justice and kept victims safe. Our country has seen a 64 percent reduction in domestic violence, but we need to reduce the incidence of these assaults even more.

Sadly, domestic violence is still widespread in our communities. That’s why it was so critical for Congress to not only reauthorize the Act, but expand its safeguards to include immigrants, the LGBT community and Native Americans.

Restoring the protections of the VAWA is an important step forward toward protecting all victims of abuse.