The Violence Against Women Act is 15

At the end of last month, women’s advocate groups celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women act, which funded prevention programs and police officer training, and created the Office of Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, rates of gender-based violence have fallen over 50% since 1993, the year before the law was enacted.
Still, rates of violence against women in America are way too high. In 2008, 4.3 women out of every 1,000 (over the age of 12) were victims of intimate partner violence. Experts worry that the recession and its associated job loss and increased financial strain will put more women in the path of violent partners. Fortunately, thanks to the Violence Against Women Act, lots of money and effort are being spent to prevent a spike and stand on behalf of those who become victims. To learn more about the VAWA and stats on violence against women see the Office of Violence Against Women and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.