VAWA 2005 Reauthorization Act

H.R. 3171, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2005 Reauthorization Act, is a comprehensive bill designed to renew and expand federal programs that prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. The legislation seeks to improve victim safety by establishing new grants for youth education, increasing access to emergency housing, and providing healthcare resources for survivors.

For everyday citizens, the bill introduces practical workplace and financial protections, such as prohibiting employers from discriminating against victims and ensuring that survivors can take emergency leave or access unemployment benefits if they must leave a job due to abuse. Additionally, the bill aims to improve medical care for survivors by recommending that emergency contraception be offered during forensic exams and strengthens legal protections for immigrant and indigenous women who are victims of violence.