WASHINGTON –The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the LGBT-inclusive re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act was introduced in the 112th Congress by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID). The re-authorization bill would make grants available for strengthening and enlarging programs to provide outreach and services to LGBT victims of domestic violence. In addition, the bill would prohibit grantees of VAWA funds from discriminating against survivors because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Many LGBT victims are not receiving the services they need because service providers and law enforcement are not engaged in outreach to the LGBT community.
According to a survey of service providers that work with LGBT victims, 85 percent report they have worked with an LGBT victim that was denied services because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
A statement issued by the Human Rights Campaign said the organization worked closely with other LGBT groups, service providers and the broader VAWA Reauthorization Task Force to identify gaps in the current VAWA and to recommend appropriate policy changes to address them.
“Victims of domestic violence need assistance, not irrational barriers based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We thank the members of the Judiciary Committee that have recognized the discrimination LGBT domestic violence victims face when seeking assistance. Specifically, Chairman Leahy has shown great leadership in re-authorizing VAWA and ensuring that the bill would explicitly make grants available for service providers doing innovative work with LGBT victims.”
