H.R. 4970 Provisions will Hurt the Most Vulnerable Women: Why the House of Representatives Needs to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and Unite Against H.R. 4970 Today

HomeH.R. 4970 Provisions will Hurt the Most Vulnerable Women: Why the House of Representatives Needs to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and Unite Against H.R. 4970 Today
A- A A+

H.R. 4970 Provisions will Hurt the Most Vulnerable Women: Why the House of Representatives Needs to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and Unite Against H.R. 4970 Today


Qudsia Jafree

by Qudsia Jafree
Field and Policy Coordinator, YWCA USA

Today, the House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 4970 to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  Enacted 18 years ago, VAWA has been nothing short of life-saving for millions of women and children across the nation, providing a comprehensive, streamlined and national response to the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.

Each reauthorization has enjoyed bipartisan support, rallying members from both sides of the aisle around the common cause of protecting some of the most vulnerable women in their constituencies.  And, each reauthorization has been crafted using data that was evidence-based, victim-centered, and trauma-informed to ensure that the bill is effective, efficient, and far-reaching in its scope.  It is these very considerations that have led to tailored measures and provisions throughout the years to include traditionally underserved communities, such as immigrants, young women on college campuses and trafficked women.

That will all change, should H.R. 4970 pass today.  Critical provisions to protect some of the most vulnerable women in our communities – immigrants, Native women, and the LGBT community – will be stripped from the bill.  Instead of crafting legislation that takes into account the insidious dynamics of abuse and assault in some of our most vulnerable communities, H.R. 4970 has unfortunately served as a platform for certain members of Congress to espouse their political rhetoric in this election year.

Let’s be clear: supporting provisions in VAWA that protect immigrant women is not a betrayal to your traditional, party-line stance on immigration.  VAWA is not an immigration bill – instead, it is legislation that addresses the unfortunate reality of the pervasiveness of violence in ALL of our communities. With a national population estimated around 37 million, immigrants are an integral part of our communities.

Immigrant women are threatened with deportation, separation from their children and revoking of their visa or naturalization applications should they decide to leave an abusive home.  Many immigrant women require multilingual services when filing for protective orders, appearing before courts, participating in trainings on financial empowerment and receiving therapy for the trauma they experienced.  This is not about border control and your party stances on immigration; this is about recognizing that stripping VAWA of key accountability and confidentiality measures deliberately puts an entire segment of your constituents in real danger.

Supporting provisions in VAWA that protect LGBT women does not translate to your endorsement of same-sex marriage.  It is about recognizing that LGBT women experience a higher threshold of challenges when seeking safety from violence.  The lack of specific protections for LGBT women is alarming: 45 percent of LGBT victims are turned away from domestic violence shelters, and 55 percent are denied protective orders.  This means your constituents systemically being denied services and protections based on their sexual orientation.

Supporting provisions in VAWA that protect Native women is not about giving tribal governments power over non-tribal courts. It is about recognizing that 34 percent of Native women – one in three – will be raped in their lifetimes; 39 percent will be subjected to domestic violence in their lifetimes; and on some reservations, Native women are murdered at more than ten times the national average.  It is about realizing that the epidemic rates of violence in Native communities occur because of flaws in the system because non-Indians cannot be prosecuted in tribal courts – a fact many non-Indian abusers have systemically exploited.  Fifty-five percent of Native women are married to non-Indians and 88 percent of all violent crimes against Native women are committed by non-Indians.

As of today, over 200 national organizations have come together in strong opposition to H.R. 4970.  Last night, President Obama issued a statement stating that he will veto H.R. 4970 if it passes in the House of Representatives today.  Opposition to this bill is not about political rhetoric in an election year – it is about valuing and protecting the lives of ALL women and children, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or geography.

The YWCA urges the House of Representatives to do the right thing and vote against H.R. 4970 – millions of lives depend on it.

Related Posts:

138 responses to “H.R. 4970 Provisions will Hurt the Most Vulnerable Women: Why the House of Representatives Needs to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and Unite Against H.R. 4970 Today”

  1. Pingback: Senate Fails to Pass Paycheck Fairness Act: Yet Another Example of the Politicization of Women’s Issues | YWCA USA Blog

  3. I don’t even know the way I finished up here, however I thought this submit was good.
    I don’t know who you’re however definitely you’re going to a
    famous blogger for those who are not already.
    Cheers!

  4. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website
    before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

  5. I’ve been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours nowadays, but I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s lovely value enough for me. In my view, if all website
    owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the
    web will likely be much more helpful than ever before.

  6. It is the best time to make some plans for the long run and it
    is time to be happy. I’ve learn this submit and if I may I desire to counsel you some
    fascinating issues or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I want to read even more things about it!

  7. When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the
    -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get 4 emails
    with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that
    service? Many thanks!

  9. Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve consider your stuff prior to and you’re simply too fantastic.
    I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which by which you
    are saying it. You’re making it entertaining and you continue to take care of to keep it wise.

    I can not wait to learn far more from you. That is really a terrific web site.

  10. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this
    website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance.
    I must say you’ve done a great job with this.

    Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Internet explorer.

    Superb Blog!

  13. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you really realize what you’re talking about!
    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally consult with my website =).
    We can have a hyperlink alternate agreement among us

  18. Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine.

    Please let me know where you got your theme. Appreciate it

  21. Wonderful items from you, man. I have take into accout your stuff previous to and you’re simply
    too wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which through which
    you say it. You’re making it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.

    I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great website.

  24. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I
    get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to
    your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  25. After I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from
    now on each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment.
    Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service?
    Many thanks!

  28. Hi there everybody, here every person is sharing these experience, therefore it’s good to
    read this weblog, and I used to go to see this weblog daily.

  32. I do consider all the concepts you have introduced on your post.
    They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the
    posts are very short for newbies. May you please lengthen them a bit from next time?
    Thanks for the post.

  34. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it
    😉 I will return once again since I saved as a favorite it.

    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to
    help others.

  38. After exploring a number of the articles on your blog, I really appreciate your way of blogging.
    I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage
    list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Take a look at my web site as well and let me know how you feel.

  39. Hi! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if
    you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?

    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  40. Hey There. I found your weblog the use of msn. That is an extremely well written article.
    I will be sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your helpful information. Thank you for
    the post. I will definitely comeback.

  41. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled
    blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.
    Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  42. I am extremely inspired along with your writing skills as smartly as with the format for your blog.

    Is that this a paid theme or did you customize it
    your self? Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it
    is rare to peer a nice weblog like this one nowadays..

  48. Quest bars cheap fitnesstipsnew1 quest bars cheap 516999410492780544 quest bars cheap
    First of all I want to say excellent blog! I had a quick question which
    I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to find out how you center
    yourself and clear your thoughts before writing. I’ve had
    trouble clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
    I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally
    lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any
    ideas or tips? Thank you! Quest bars cheap fitnesstipsnew1 quest bars cheap 516999410492780544 quest bars cheap

  49. Thanks for finally talking about >H.R. 4970 Provisions will
    Hurt the Most Vulnerable Women: Why the House of Representatives Needs to Reauthorize the
    Violence Against Women Act and Unite Against H.R.
    4970 Today – YWCA USA <Loved it!

  50. Wonderful work! This is the kind of info that are
    supposed to be shared around the internet. Shame on Google
    for now not positioning this submit upper! Come on over and discuss with my site .

    Thank you =)

  51. wonderful publish, very informative. I ponder why the opposite specialists of this sector
    don’t realize this. You must proceed your writing. I am sure, you
    have a great readers’ base already!

  55. It’s awesome to visit this website and reading the views of all colleagues regarding this paragraph, while I am also zealous of getting experience.

  59. My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different web page and thought I might check things out.
    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page again.

  61. Hi would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
    Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a fair price?

    Thank you, I appreciate it!

  63. Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to
    everything. Do you have any recommendations for beginner blog writers?
    I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  66. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is
    needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly
    appreciated. Cheers

  67. Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hi there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends.

    I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.

  69. Excellent blog you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like yours these days.

    I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

  72. Sling tv coupons and promo codes for november 2018
    Definitely imagine that that you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest
    thing to bear in mind of. I say to you, I definitely
    get annoyed even as other people consider issues that
    they just do not know about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as smartly as outlined out the
    whole thing with no need side-effects , other folks could
    take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks sling
    tv coupons and promo codes for november 2018

  73. Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and
    tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My
    apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share
    it with someone!

  74. Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i
    was just wondering if you get a lot of spam
    responses? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything
    you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s
    driving me mad so any support is very much appreciated.

  76. You actually make it appear really easy together with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really one thing
    that I think I might by no means understand.
    It sort of feels too complicated and extremely huge for me.
    I’m having a look ahead to your subsequent submit,
    I will attempt to get the cling of it!

  79. Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was
    just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
    If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?

    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much
    appreciated.

  80. Hi there! I know this is sort of off-topic but I had to ask.
    Does operating a well-established blog such as yours take
    a massive amount work? I am brand new to writing a blog however I do write in my
    diary daily. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my own experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas
    or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  81. Whats up very cool web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb ..
    I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also?
    I’m glad to search out a lot of helpful information right here within the
    publish, we want work out extra techniques
    on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

  82. I’ve been surfing online greater than three hours these days, but I by
    no means discovered any interesting article like yours.

    It is pretty value enough for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the net might be much more useful than ever before.

  83. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve keep in mind your stuff previous to and you’re simply extremely excellent.
    I really like what you have received here, certainly like
    what you are saying and the way in which in which you are saying it.
    You make it entertaining and you continue to care for to
    keep it sensible. I cant wait to read much more from you.
    That is really a terrific website.

  84. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my
    newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite
    some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.

    Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

  86. What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled
    upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has
    helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other users like its helped me.
    Great job.

  104. Good way of explaining, and pleasant piece of writing to obtain information regarding my presentation topic, which i am going to deliver in college.

  105. Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was
    just wondering if you get a lot of spam responses?
    If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.

  107. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This
    is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more
    of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.

  108. That is really attention-grabbing, You’re an overly skilled blogger.
    I have joined your feed and look forward to in quest of more of your excellent post.

    Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks

  109. Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very much appreciated.

  111. Howdy! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  112. H? there I am so gratefu I found your weblog,
    I really found you by error, whil I was looking on Askjeeve for something else, Any?ow I am here now and would just l?ke to saay kudos ffor a f?nt?stic post and a a?l round enjoy?ble blog (I also love th? theme/design), I don’t
    have time too go th??u?h it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and
    also add?d in your RSS feed?, so when I have time I ??ll
    b? back to rea? a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome
    work.

  113. We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new
    scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful information to work on. You’ve done
    a formidable task and our entire group might be thankful to
    you.

  114. You are so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve read anything like this before.

    So good to discover somebody with original thoughts on this topic.
    Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is
    one thing that is required on the internet, someone with
    some originality!

  115. I’ve read some good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for
    revisiting. I wonder how a lot effort you put to make such a magnificent informative web site.

  116. excellent points altogether, you simply won a logo new reader.
    What could you recommend in regards to your post that you simply
    made a few days in the past? Any sure?

  118. Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.
    I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put
    this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time
    both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth
    it!

  119. Ahaa, its pleasant discussion on the topic of this paragraph at this place at this webpage, I have read all that, so at this time me also
    commenting here.

  121. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up!
    I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the
    road. Many thanks

  123. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you
    an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested
    in hearing. Either way, great website and I look
    forward to seeing it develop over time.

  124. I was recommended this web site via my cousin. I am now
    not positive whether this submit is written by way of him as
    no one else realize such specified approximately my problem.
    You are amazing! Thank you!

  125. I am now not po?iti?e where you’r? getting your
    info, however gr?at topic. I mustt ?pend som? tim? l?arning more ?r working out more.
    Thanks for ma?nificent info I was on the lookout foor this information for
    my mission.

  126. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this
    information together. I once again find myself personally spending
    way too much time both reading and posting comments.

    But so what, it was still worth it!

  128. wonderful points altogether, you simply won a logo new reader.
    What might you suggest about your put up that you
    just made some days ago? Any positive?

  129. Hello this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors
    or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a
    blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get advice from someone
    with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  131. all the time i used to read smaller articles or reviews which also
    clear their motive, and that is also happening with this paragraph which I
    am reading at this place.

  132. Hello! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone
    4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and
    look forward to all your posts! Keep up the superb work!

  133. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
    I do not know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous
    blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  134. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Chrome.
    I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet
    browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The style and design look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Many thanks

  135. What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I
    have discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped
    me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other customers like its helped me.
    Good job.

  136. That is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.

    Short but very accurate info… Thank you for sharing this one.

    A must read post!

  137. Really no matter if someone doesn’t know then its up to other viewers that they will assist,
    so here it occurs.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *