The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has dramatically changed the way victim services and the criminal justice system respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. VAWA has saved thousands of lives since it was signed into law in 1994 and currently provides over 800 state and local agencies and service providers with the necessary resources to support survivors, hold offenders accountable and keep communities safe. VAWA provides a foundation for survivor safety, which needs to be strengthened and expanded to better address safety in the context of economic security. Physical, sexual and economic abuse often result in interrupted employment, increased medical bills, damaged credit, accumulated debt and lack of adequate housing. These financial factors impact the decision to leave an abusive situation, the ability to remain free or recover from violence, and the capacity to access the services required to transition from victim to survivor.

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