"Thirty years ago, a new law transformed the way the United States recognizes and combats gender-based violence.
The Violence Against Women Act, signed by President Bill Clinton on Sept. 13, 1994, was the first federal legislative package to designate domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes and require a community-coordinated response to violence against women.
It was the 'most critical' piece of legislation to address gender-based violence, said Pamela Jacobs, CEO of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. Jacobs, herself a survivor of sexual abuse, says the act has been instrumental in helping women lead violence-free lives through greater services and support, holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes and encouraging survivors to come forward.
'It’s really been life-changing for thousands and thousands of people, and has saved countless lives as well,' Jacobs said."
