OVW Blog

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.

For many teenagers, developing bonds with an intimate partner is an important time in learning how to foster respectful, caring relationships. It’s a vital part of growing up and often comes at a time that can be fraught with anxiety and confusion as they explore and establish their own identities and navigate complex relationships. 

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is proud to honor Black History Month with our grantees and the Department of Justice. In a proclamation honoring National Black History Month, President Biden stated, “During Black History Month, we celebrate the legacy of Black Americans whose power to lead, to overcome, and to expand the meaning and practice of American democracy has helped our Nation become a more fair and just society.” Standing for almost 30 years, OVW awarded more than $9.5 billion in grants and cooperative agreements to communities across the country. This Black History Month...