It was 25 years ago this week that the Violence Against Women Act became law. Our movement brought the resources of the federal government to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

VAWA has saved lives, changed lives, and helped transform a culture that once regarded domestic violence as a "private" matter, rather than as a vital national issue of public health and justice. VAWA changed how our justice system responds to acts of sexual and domestic violence, and it funded programs to help children heal from the lifelong trauma that can result from experiencing violence in the home.

I wish we could have a 25th anniversary celebration of that progress, but as an activist, this date must serve as a prompt for urgent action. People are still dying, children are experiencing trauma, and this country is increasingly affected by acts of mass gun violence, which are often rooted in domestic violence.

As you know, VAWA requires periodic reauthorization by Congress, and 2019 is such a year. The House reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act with bipartisan support, passing H.R. 1585, a bill that strengthens protections for survivors and better funds violence prevention programs. But Senate leaders refuse to bring the bill for a vote, and we need to change that right now.

We are sharing resources below for contacting your Senators. We also invite you to share your stories so that we can educate our policy makers on the real-life impacts of VAWA. Tell us how VAWA has helped you heal, or help us demand action on behalf of someone you love, who no longer has a voice. Please visit our website at [link removed] .

Thank you for being part of our movement.

Respectfully,
Esta Soler

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