There is a growing sense among Republicans and Democrats alike that the various bills to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act – H.R. 1585, S. 2843, and S. 2920 – have lost their focus and ignored important scientific findings, thereby shortchanging the victims of domestic violence.

These are the 10 reasons for the concerns:

1. Does not address root causes: It is generally recognized that substance abuse, marital conflict, and mental health problems are the reasons for domestic violence.[1] But VAWA doesn’t say a word about these causes.
2. No evidence of effectiveness: Persons agree there is no evidence that VAWA-funded programs have reduced the rates of domestic violence.[2] According to DOJ’s Angela Moore Parmley, “We have no evidence to date that VAWA has led to a decrease in the overall levels of violence.”
3. Congressional findings: Effective legislation rests on good data and timely research. But none of the three VAWA bills contain any Congressional findings. Are we supposed to just accept the recommended changes on faith?
4. More funding for a dwindling problem: Domestic violence rates have fallen by half in recent years. In 2011, the CDC reported annual rates of 6.5% for male victims and 6.3% for female victims.[3] Seven years later, the CDC reported these numbers: 3.8% for male victims and 2.9% for female victims (4). Despite these improvements, all three Congressional bills propose funding increases.
5. Neglect of male victims: Male victims of domestic violence now outnumber female victims, according to the CDC.[4] But none of the bills being considered in Congress reveal an awareness of this fact.
6. Immigration injustice: The current VAWA law allows a foreign national to claim he or she is a victim of domestic violence. But VAWA does not grant the American citizen legal standing to refute the accusation.
7. Too much, or too little criminal justice intervention: There is no agreement whether to ratchet up, or ratchet down the role of the criminal justice system in addressing domestic violence.
8. Rampant waste, fraud, and financial abuse: Department of Justice audits found that 34 out of 47 recipients of VAWA funds – 72.3% — were found to be “Generally Non-Compliant.”[5] Which means money intended to help victims is being siphoned away. But none of the three VAWA bills address this problem.
9. Constitutional protections: VAWA has been found to be contributing to numerous Constitutional violations.[6] Why is this chronic problem being ignored?
10. Every person a victim: All 3 VAWA bills contain this language: “A pattern of behavior including the use or attempted use of…verbal, psychological, economic, or technological abuse.” Which means essentially every American could claim to be a victim of domestic violence. Is that what’s intended?

Maybe it’s time for a Fresh Start?

Citations:

[1]https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html

[2] http://endtodv.org/fresh-start/lack-of-effectiveness/

[3]http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/2015data-brief508.pdf , Tables 9 and 11.

[5] http://endtodv.org/pr-violence-against-women-act-7-out-of-10-grant-recipients-flunk-audits/

[6] http://www.saveservices.org/wp-content/uploads/SAVE-Assault-Civil-Rights.pdf