OVW Archived Blogs

This past September, I had the profound honor of sitting with a group of survivors who bravely shared their stories, wisdom, and leadership during the commemoration of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 30th Anniversary in the Great Hall at the Department of Justice. These courageous individuals, representing a rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences, spoke with unflinching honesty about their journeys and provided their recommendations for charting the path forward into this next decade. Their powerful words served as a poignant reminder of how far we have come in addressing domestic...

OVW honors the resiliency and leadership of American Indian and Alaskan Native victims and survivors by recognizing the dedication and accomplishments of Tribal leaders, advocates, and survivors to prevent and end gender-based violence in their own communities. We also take the opportunity during Native American Heritage Month  to affirm our ongoing commitment to honor Tribal sovereignty and uphold the federal trust responsibility as we work alongside the 574 unique federally recognized Tribes to address domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and sex trafficking.

On September 13th, we commemorated a significant milestone—the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This landmark, bipartisan legislation changed the way our nation views and responds to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Congress acknowledged these issues as critical threats to individual and public safety and, through VAWA, established important federal protections and dedicated federal grant resources to support survivors, strengthen coordinated community approaches, and improve efforts to hold offenders accountable.  VAWA resulted from...

As we continue to celebrate Pride Month, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) reaffirms our commitment to using every available resource to protect and uphold the safety, dignity, and well-being of the LGBTQI2S+ community. Our dedication extends beyond June, ensuring support throughout the entire year.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), landmark bipartisan legislation first enacted by Congress in 1994, is a testament to the power of collective action. The hallmark of VAWA and its subsequent reauthorizations is a coordinated community response, which seeks to bring together advocates, service providers, agencies, and community partners across many disciplines to break down silos so that all survivors can access safety, justice, healing, and well-being, tailored to their own unique needs and circumstances. We know there is no one-size-fits all approach and that supporting survivors...

In April, we marked the 23^rd annual observance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This year’s theme, “Building Connected Communities,” recognizes that the best way to prevent sexual assault and support survivors is by working together to create strong, connected communities that are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone.

During Black History Month, and in moments of personal adversity, I find strength by looking at my own hands, a reminder of the legacy I carry. My parents’ perseverance wasn’t just about survival; it was a manifestation of their belief in better days ahead. This belief led them to leave the farm in 1968, seeking a future beyond the cotton fields of Creston. 

This month marks the 20th annual observance of National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) – a time when we come together to raise awareness about the harmful impact of stalking on survivors and the larger community. It is also an important opportunity to center the voices of survivors and strengthen our collective commitment to improve prevention efforts and increase access to safety, justice, and healing for survivors of stalking.

Survivors are at the center of our work at the Office on Violence Against Women and it is their courage, leadership, and vision that drives the commitment to continue to improve efforts to address and prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. We observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) to take stock of the collective progress we’ve made, strengthen our commitment to advancing our work, and ensure that millions of people who are impacted by abuse from intimate partners every year know that they are not alone and can reach out for help.

Today marks the 29th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) — landmark legislation aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Born from years of grass-roots advocacy, and from the voices and leadership of survivors, VAWA’s 1994 enactment was a testament to the power of collective action in shaping public policy and in setting a vision for our nation to advance a society that does not tolerate abuse.  Significant progress has been made over the past nearly three decades and we are committed to continuing to strengthen and expand initiatives...

As President Biden said in his proclamation, Pride Month is “a celebration of generations of LGBTQI+ people, who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically. And it is a reminder that we still have generational work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection, and freedom.” At the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), we wholeheartedly embrace the President's vision, proudly standing as staunch allies to everyone – friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers, advocates, and survivors – who constitute the diverse and invaluable Lesbian, Gay...

Communities throughout our country and across the world are gearing up to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). First recognized on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, WEAAD aims to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect experienced by millions of older adults – crimes that are too often overlooked or unreported. Through this observance, WEAAD brings focus to the cultural, social, economic, and demographic circumstances affecting elder abuse and neglect.