Safety from Gender-Based Violence

Prevent Gender-Based Violence and Support Survivors

Women and girls of all ages, income levels, racial and ethnic communities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious affiliations continue to experience violence in the form of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and trafficking. As the largest network of domestic and sexual violence service providers in the United States, YWCA works for practical solutions to protect survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and eradicate all forms of gender-based violence.

Against this backdrop, YWCA calls on all elected officials to act on the following issues:

• Reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Reauthorization Act (FVPSA)
• Strengthen and maintain enforcement, oversight, accountability of Violence Against Women (VAWA) and Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) implementation
• Common-sense solutions that decrease the threat of domestic violence gun homicide
• Job-protected safe leave to enable survivors to seek medical and legal support
• Safe, inclusive school environments that are free from sexual violence, are supportive of survivors, and that respect and affirm gender identity and expression

Bills We Support/Oppose

• Family Violence Prevention Services Act (FVPSA)
• Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)
• Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2023 (S.1293 / H.R.2918)

Download these resources to learn more:

• Preventing Gun Violence
• VAWA Reauthorization: Preventing Firearm-Related Violence
• Download the Legislative Priorities for the 118^th Congress: One-pager

Download the Legislative Priorities for the 118^th Congress Full Report

YWCA mission to end Gender-Based Violence

YWCA reaches 1 million women, girls and their families through more than 194 local associations in 45 states and the District of Columbia. We provide critical programs, including domestic and sexual violence services, through 12,500 staff members and 52,000 volunteers.

Learn more