VAWnet News Blog

This October marks 40 years since the passage of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the primary federal funding source dedicated to supporting emergency shelters and services for victims of domestic violence and their families.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). This year, we are proud to build on the theme Heal, Hold & Center, first launched in 2023.

"A 2013 provision to federal law was intended to ensure that domestic violence victims living in subsidized housing could move quickly to safer homes. But they often wait in fear."

For Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2024, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project is building on the theme Heal, Hold & Center, first launched in 2023. This theme is all about building connection to foster healing and racial justice for survivors. As beloved ancestor bell hooks reminds us, “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994. VAWA is a landmark piece of legislation designed to address domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other forms of gender-based violence.

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.