Faith Groups Speak Out for Women (Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization)

April 19, 2012

To: Members of the United States Senate

We write as representatives of faith groups in the United States who are concerned for the safety and well-being of vulnerable people to urge your support of the reauthorization act of the Violence Against Women Act (S. 1925).

We have learned that some senators may be considering amendments to the Act that would make exceptions in its application, declaring, in effect, that protections should not apply to Native women on reservations, or to non-citizens who are victims of trafficking or sexual exploitation or violence, or that discrimination among victims should be permitted on the basis of gender identification or sexual orientation.

We believe that violence against all individuals - particularly individuals in vulnerable situations - is wrong, without exception. We urge you to support the Violence Against Women Act (S. 1925) as proposed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sincerely,

See the PDF Version for the List of Signers.

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May 14, 2012

To: Members of the United States House of Representatives

We write as representatives of faith groups in the United States who are concerned for the safety and well-being of vulnerable people. We urge your support of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, including protections for the same vulnerable groups addressed in the Senate version, S. 1925. However, we believe that H.R. 4970, the House Judiciary Committee bill, makes damaging exceptions for certain vulnerable groups and increases the danger for some victims. We urge you to oppose it.

The VAWA legislation that has been reported out of the House Judiciary Committee (H.R. 4970) does not include important protections for particularly vulnerable populations, and places immigrant women, in particular, in greater danger. The bill now declares, in effect, that protections should not apply to Native women on reservations; or to non-citizens who are victims of trafficking, sexual exploitation, or violence; and that discrimination among victims should be permitted on the basis of gender identification or sexual orientation.

We believe that violence against all individuals - particularly individuals in vulnerable situations - is wrong, without exception. We urge you to oppose H.R. 4970 and look for an opportunity to vote for a comprehensive bill that would not make exceptions among victims of domestic violence.

Sincerely,

The Advocacy Committee for Women’s Concerns of the PC(USA)
African American Ministers In Action
Center of Concern
Church Women United
Disciples Justice Action Network
Disciples Women, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Episcopal Church
Family and Children's Ministries, Disciples Home Missions, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Jewish Council of Public Affairs
Jewish Women International
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
National Council of Jewish Women
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness
Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Inc
Sisters of Mercy Institute Justice Team
Sojourners
Union for Reform Judaism
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church & Society
United Methodist Women
United Sikhs
Women of Reform Judaism