LaPointe Urges Congress to Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act

CHICAGO – Fighting for the rights of women and individuals who experience gender-based violence, state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, is sponsoring new legislation urging the United State Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

“For the past 25 years, the federal government has created a comprehensive and evolving public health response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking through the Violence Against Women Act,” LaPointe said. “While this Act has served as a critical tool to combat violence and protect victims across the country, extremists in Washington have recently failed to reauthorize the measure. Protecting women is not a political issue and renewing this policy should not be optional.”

LaPointe is co-sponsoring House Resolution 632 urging Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which expired last year. Originally authorized in 1994, the Act created a comprehensive approach to end violence against women by holding offenders accountable and providing services for victims of violence. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention report that domestic violence or intimate partner violence is a serious health issue for millions of Americans. In 2014, approximately 65,800 intimate violence incidents were reported to Illinois law enforcement.

“The startling statistics about violence against women in our country and in our state show that we must take action and do more to protect women and provide services to victims,” LaPointe said. “I strongly urge the members of Congress to recognize the importance of providing essential services for victims and survivors by reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.”

If you or a loved ones is experiencing intimate partner violence, help is available through the Illinois Department of Human Services’ free, 24-hour hotline at 877-863-6338. For more information about available services, you can also contact my office at 773-647-1174 or email RepLaPointe@gmail.com.