Media Advisory:
YWCA hosts event on Violence Against
Women Act (VAWA), domestic violence
programming, and YWCA Week Without Violence
Thurs., Oct. 20, 2005; 8:00 a.m
Capitol Building, Room SC-6
Senators Biden and Hatch Honored during the YWCA Week Without Violence
Delaware and Utah YWCAs Discuss Domestic Violence Programs
Oct. 18, 2005, Washington, D.C. - Imagine: 7 days, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes, 604,080 seconds without violence.
The YWCA is marking the 10th anniversary of its Week Without Violence, Oct. 16-22, and is seeking immediate reauthorization of the 2005 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). It also is calling on Congress to include specific provisions in the Act.
The House and Senate each passed their versions of the legislation to reauthorize the Act, which was enacted in 1994 and reauthorized in 2000. This legislation now moves to a conference committee where differences between the two bills would be reconciled.
"The House-passed VAWA 2005 dropped crucial provisions for racial and ethnic minorities," said Glenda DuBoise, YWCA USA National Coordinating Board president. "The VAWA language addressing minorities must be included in the final bill because many women of color are not receiving services they so desperately need.
"Studies have shown that, among the women between the ages of 20 and 24, there are 29 acts of domestic violence per 1,000 black women and 20 per 1,000 white women. Women of all ethnicities experience violence."
The YWCA USA is also calling on the conference committee to reinstate provisions that would provide employment protection for victims.
"The Violence Against Women Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by Congress in the 20th century. VAWA fundamentally changed the way society views violence against women and made it clear that victims of rape, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking were no longer expected to suffer alone in silence," said Peggy Sanchez Mills, CEO of YWCA USA.
The Act is the landmark legislation that created a domestic violence hotline, enhanced penalties for repeat sex offenders, created penalties for interstate domestic violence, increased criminal penalties for crimes against women, and provided assistance to victims.
The YWCA, as a preeminent provider of domestic violence programs, took the lead to create the YWCA Week Without Violence in 1995.
On Oct. 20, YWCA USA is honoring Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) on Capitol Hill as the original sponsors of the Violence Against Women Act and for consistently working to end community and family violence.
Sanchez Mills applauded the senators for being extraordinary allies in the fight to end violence against women and girls. "These senators have proven to be compassionate, dedicated and committed individuals," she said.
Ginny Marino, YWCA Delaware (DE) executive director, and Janeen Brown, the association's victim services director, will be on hand to talk about the YW programs for victims of domestic abuse.
"When life takes a turn for the worse, the YWCA helps those in need of the most basic of necessities: a safe place to live," Marino said. "VAWA is so important to all of our anti-violence work."
Anne Burkholder, YWCA Salt Lake City (UT) CEO, and Asha Parekh, program director, will talk about their anti-violence programs.
"Our YWCA is the oldest and largest provider of crisis shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for victims of domestic violence in Utah. The YWCA reaches thousands of women, teens and children every year through its programs and services for victims of family violence, pregnant and parenting adolescent girls, homeless women, and the community at large. VAWA funding has been vital in our efforts to help women and children of every race, nationality, and circumstance to find safety, support, and new beginnings."
Between 1993 and 2001, according to the most recent statistics, there was a 50 percent drop in incidents of nonfatal domestic violence and a 50 percent decrease in the number of sexual assaults and rapes perpetrated against individuals 12 years old and older (U.S. Department of Justice, 2002). The fight to end violence has shown promise, but it's far from over.
On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day (Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Data Brief, Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001, February 2003).
Every two and a half minutes, another American is sexually assaulted (U.S. Department of Justice, 2003).
YWs across the country are hosting activities during the YWCA Week Without Violence. Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will be running nationwide, focusing on startling statistics in the ongoing fight against violence.
Contact Congress today to urge them to immediately reauthorize VAWA by going to www.ywca.org, clicking on "YWCA Week Without Violence" and then on "Contact Congress Today." You'll also see there tips on leaving an abusive partner, statistics, activities and other information. Sign up from the top menu of the home page to receive YWAct, the YWCA email activist network, and receive periodic emails providing information on new federal legislation; how your Members of Congress are voting on women's and civil rights issues; and ways you can take action to improve the lives of all women, girls and their families.
For more information contact:
- Debra Roth, Director of Marketing and
Communications, at 202-467-0801,
communications@ywca.org,
- Kate Kasper, Director of Advocacy, at
202-467-0801, advocacy@ywca.org, or
- Andi Zentz, Lead Communications and
Marketing Associate, at 202-467-0801,
communications@ywca.org.
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Founded in 1858 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the YWCA is a women's membership movement whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. Currently, the YWCA represents approximately 2 million women, girls and their families in the United States and 25 million women worldwide. For information about the YWCA, visit our Web site, www.ywca.org, or contact the YWCA USA at 202-467-0801.
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