Today I voted in favor of updating the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which forms our nation's primary federal tool for fighting against domestic violence.

Domestic and sexual violence is a pervasive problem that has devastating consequences for the survivor, the family, and society as a whole. I am proud that the Senate voted today to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, ensuring that we continue efforts to prevent and prosecute domestic and sexual violence and provide critical support to survivors. 

"Senator Kirk's Women's Advisory Board applauds Senator Kirk in his bi-partisan support of VAWA which directly affects women and their families in Illinois and throughout the nation," said Gina Arquilla DeBoni, Chairwoman of Senator Kirk's Women's Advisory Board. "Senator Kirk's continued efforts and his support of this important legislation will undoubtedly help save lives, save money, and aid in breaking the cycle of violence."

"The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is critical to the work toward eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault in Illinois," said Vickie Smith, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "Senator Kirk has provided great leadership in supporting the latest efforts realized in S 47.  Here in Illinois due to the efforts of VAWA, we have created protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors, training opportunities for advocates, law enforcement and prosecutors and created programs that respond more appropriately victims of sexual assault that also have a disability.  Attorneys have been able to assist thousands of victims with orders of protection for themselves and their children.  It is so important to Illinois to continue this work."

This legislation is critical because the Department of Justice found that nearly one in five women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and nearly one in six women will be the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. Illinois is not immune to domestic and sexual violence. In 2009 there were 115,988 reported domestic violence cases in Illinois, according to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.  

While these are devastating statistics, we know that the Violence Against Women Act has made a significant difference for survivors. For nearly 20 years, the programs supported by this important legislation have raised awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault, trained law enforcement and justice system officials to better respond to and seek justice on behalf of survivors, and assisted survivors in escaping the cycle of violence. This has led to a 51% increase in reporting rates of domestic violence, and a 34% decrease in the number of women killed by an intimate partner, according to the Department of Justice. Studies also found that VAWA saved taxpayers $14.8 billion in its first six years alone. But our work is not done.

The new VAWA package contains several major and important changes, including:

• New provisions to help reduce the backlog of untested rape kits sitting in the possession of law enforcement agencies across the country, which experts have pegged as high as 400,0000
• The consolidation and streamlining of a number of programs to improve effectiveness and efficiency
• More stringent confidentiality and cyber stalking provisions
• The addition of dating violence and stalking as part of all the programs

• The renewal and improvement of our federal programs to combat and prevent human trafficking both at home and abroad

I hope my colleagues in the House of Representatives will swiftly take up and pass this legislation so we can continue these life and cost saving programs.