Here’s a way to follow-up on the Commission on the Status of Women:
Call both of your Senators’ offices in Washington today and ask them vote YES on the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Our partners in Presbyterian Women tell us that now is the time influence our Senators on the Violence Against Women Act. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has agreed to bring VAWA, S. 1925, to the Senate Floor very, very soon—possibly next week! And Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) became a co-sponsor of VAWA yesterday bringing our total co-sponsors to 59! We now need everyone who cares about VAWA to call their senators and urge them to vote YES on VAWA!
Call both of your Senators’ offices in Washington today and ask them vote YES on the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
I urge Senator _____ to support the Violence Against Women Act and vote YES on S. 1925 AS IS. A vote for VAWA is a vote for women and for all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), enacted in 1994, was the first federal legislation identifying domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes. VAWA programs, administered by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services, give law enforcement, prosecutors and judges the tools they need to hold offenders accountable and keep communities safe while supporting victims.
The Office of Public Witness provides an opportunity to send an email as well.
PC(USA) General Assembly Guidance
In recognition of factors that indicate that the teachings of some organizations and churches have unintentionally been a factor in fostering a climate of acceptance for the subjugation and oppression of women, culminating in acts of violence against women, the 211th General Assembly (1999) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) adopted a resolution that renewed its commitment to stand in solidarity with women.
In 2001 with the adoption of the paper, Turn Mourning into Dancing the General Assembly directed the Presbyterian Washington Office to do the following:
a. Monitor legislation involving domestic violence and related federal initiatives and advocate the church’s policy.
b. Advocate support for daycare, shelters, social services, etc. that counteract the rise of violence and abuse in society.
c. Reaffirm the General Assembly’s call to urge the United States Senate to ratify the United Nations Conventions on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and on the Rights of the Child.
d. Support policies, programs, and services that protect victims, hold offenders accountable for their offenses, provide incarceration of and treatment for offenders of domestic violence and advocate for support for family members.