In the eyes of proponents, reauthorizing the federal Violence Against Women Act should be a no-brainer.
Since it was implemented in 1994, the act has resulted in billions of dollars for tribal, state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, working to help victims and prevent domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking throughout the United States. Nevertheless, hundreds of organizations that provide services such as emergency shelter, legal aid and mental health therapy keep straining to meet demand.
Through the act, Congress typically eases some of the financial strain by appropriating hundreds of millions of dollars â about $550 million annually â for the various programs, but expanding protections requires legislators to reauthorize VAWA.
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