In 2012 and 2013, Senator Ron Johnson refused to support the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization, which provides lifesaving protections to women and families across the country. On the 21st anniversary of the passage of VAWA, Wisconsin voters still find it unacceptable that their senator voted against supporting the recovery of domestic violence victims.
“Republicans in Congress have shown their complete disregard for women’s livelihoods and health, calling for the defunding of Planned Parenthood, the top women’s health provider in the nation, and opposing important equal pay and family leave legislation. Nothing is more shameful than their opposition — including Senator Ron Johnson’s — to VAWA. Despite more than 700,000 Wisconsin women suffering from domestic violence, Senator Johnson still voted no to provide critically important funding for these victims.” said American Bridge President Jessica Mackler.
Background:
Over 700K Wisconsin Women Have Been Victims Of Domestic Abuse. According to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, 714,000 Wisconsin women have been victims of domestic violence in their lifetimes and everyday “about 250 requests for help go unmet because of a lack of resources.” [EndAbuseWI.org, 2015-16 agenda]
On A Single Day, 200 Domestic Violence Victims In Wisconsin Could Not Be Provided Services Because Programs Did Not Have Resources. According to End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, “[O]n September 17, 2013, domestic violence victims in Wisconsin made more than 200 requests for services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and non-residential services that could not be provided because programs did not have the resources to provide these services[.]” [End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, Accessed 9/11/15]
Published: Sep 14, 2015