http://www.forbes.com/sites/shenegotiates/2012/02/15/women-in-a-war-zone-republicans-betray-survivors-of-sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence/

Last week Republicans blocked the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the law that sustains national efforts to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Law enforcement and victim advocacy groups strongly support renewal of the law. Although it previously passed through Congress with bi-partisan support, this year not one Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of reauthorization.

The bill would help reduce the national backlog of unprocessed rape kits and enforce protective orders. The VAWA also ensures that victims are not denied services because they are gay or transgender. Another provision would slightly increase access to special visas for undocumented immigrants who are subjected to domestic violence. This ensures that immigrant women will be supported if they choose to seek help.

A proposed, substitute bill attempted to slash these essential services, reduce financing and effectively eliminate the office within the Justice Department that is specifically devoted to addressing sexual assault and domestic violence. Fortunately, for the women whose lives are at stake, this alternative bill failed.

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