FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2018
Contact: David Carl (505) 288-2465
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas today joined 55 other state and
territory attorneys general to urge Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
(VAWA). The attorneys general sent a letter earlier today to congressional leaders and the chairs
of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, urging lawmakers to vote to reauthorize VAWA
before it expires this year.
“Congressional leaders have a responsibility to fight for women in dangerous situations,” said
Attorney General Hector Balderas. “This funding is crucial for training, awareness, assistance,
and justice for New Mexican women who are victimized by violence, and abuse, and it must be
reauthorized.”
Under VAWA, originally passed in 1994, over $6 billion in grant funding has been awarded to
government and nonprofit organizations nationwide. The grants have funded training and
assistance to address and reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
The grants have also funded resources and services to assist survivors, prosecute offenders and
facilitate partnerships between prosecutors, judges, advocates, community organizations and
health care providers.
In their letter, the attorneys general emphasized the importance of VAWA to reducing the rate of
sexual violence toward women and addressing the devastating effects of these crimes. They
urged Congress to continue funding for programs that have helped millions of domestic violence
and sexual assault survivors.