06.08.22

In Virtual Meeting, Durbin Thanks Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence For Its Advocacy

Durbin and ICADV discuss funding needs and passage of VAWA Reauthorization Act and VOCA Fix

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ILCADV) to personally thank the group for its continued advocacy for survivors of domestic violence. On the call, Durbin and ILCADV also discussed securing adequate funding for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs in Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations.

“Since its initial enactment, VAWA has saved countless lives. VAWA provides critical funding for services and support for survivors, which are provided by dedicated organizations like those that are a part of ILCADV,” Durbin said. “In my meeting with ILCADV today, I reiterated my commitment to continuing to advocate for survivors of domestic violence by pushing for the necessary funding to facilitate VAWA programs.”

With the support of ILCADV, Durbin led the unanimous Senate passage of the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act in 2021. The legislation redirected monetary penalties from federal deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements into the Crime Victims Fund to increase funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs.

In March, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization Act, which Durbin led with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), was signed into law. The bill reauthorized VAWA through 2027, preserved advancements made in previous reauthorizations, and included a number of additional improvements to the current law, such as increasing services and support for survivors from underserved and marginalized communities; improving sexual violence prevention efforts; strengthening the application of evidence-based practices by law enforcement in responding to gender-based violence; improving the healthcare system’s response to domestic violence and sexual assault; and including the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Denial Notification Act to help state law enforcement investigate and prosecute cases against individuals legally prohibited from purchasing firearms who try to do so.

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