This Anti-Violence Act Has Proven to Be Truly Lifesaving

Thirty years have passed since the Violence Against Women Act was signed into law in the United States.

“It’s really been life-changing for thousands and thousands of people, and has saved countless lives as well,” says Pamela Jacobs, CEO of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.

Recent research reveals that in the 30 years the act has been signed into law, domestic violence rates in the country have dropped by 67 per cent. The creation of the Office of Violence Against Women under the Department of Justice, the provision of social and legal services to victims, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline – which receives as many as 3,000 calls a day – were some of the many initiatives enacted under the law. The act is reviewed every five years, and additional clauses continue to be added to ensure the safety and protection of women across the nation.