Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson Applauds U.S. Senate for
Passage of the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

SANTA FE, NM – Today's bi-partisan vote in the U.S. Senate to renew the Federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a huge step forward in stopping the brutal and widespread nature of domestic violence.  Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Bernalillo-24) praises the U.S. Senate for moving quickly to protect all victims of intimate partner violence.  Rep. Thomson is the sponsor of House Joint Memorial 34 which encourages our New Mexico Congressional Delegation to vote immediately to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.
 
Rep. Thomson offers these sobering statistics in support of the VAWA:
·         Nearly one in four women is beaten or raped by a partner during adulthood
·         NM law enforcement identified 21,368 victims of domestic violence in 2011 and 6,219 children were present and witnessed domestic violence
·         New Mexico receives $1.2 million dollars in funding for domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program services through the Violence Against Women Act

“I want to thank the U.S. Senate for passing the Violence Against Women Act,” says Rep. Thomson.  She adds, “I hope that the U.S. House of Representatives will do the same to address this insidious and pervasive plague on the women in this country, and in New Mexico specifically.”
 
It has been more than two years since the Violence Against Women Act expired.
 
To read HJM 34 click here