Violence Against Women Act: A look at the local impact

APPLETON - Local domestic abuse advocates say the details of the Violence Against Women Act renewal are starting to take shape.

Congress passed the bill last week.

But some lawmakers from our area say while they support victims, they don't support all parts of this specific bill.

"I survived, and when I needed it, the services were there,” said Jamie Richter, during her shift of manning a domestic violence hotline Monday.

After Harbor House in Appleton helped her out of an abusive relationship, Richter is giving back, volunteering at the shelter.

Staff says this shelter often runs over capacity.

The continuation of federal Violence Against Women Act grants could help people like Jamie.

“We rely heavily on the generosity of people who have a lot of heart in this organization, but funding is really what makes this organization go,” she said.

A VAWA grant also directly funds a full-time advocate position on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's campus. Counselors say since that position was created, more students have come forward to report sexual abuse.

“What I love about VAWA is it allows me to be here and really kind of break that silence for victims. I think it's something we need to start talking about, and being able to be here full time gives me that ability,” said Katie Huskey, the campus victim advocate at UW-Oshkosh.

The act spends $659 million a year over five years to fund grants for shelters, legal assistance, law enforcement training and hotlines.

Republican lawmakers from our area say while they support domestic violence victims, they don't support this particular renewal of VAWA.

A provision in it would give tribal courts the ability to prosecute non-Native Americans for abuse crimes on tribal lands.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, says he fears this will lead to unfair trials for the accused.

In a statement, Johnson said:

"By including an unconstitutional expansion of tribal authority and introducing a bill before the Congressional Budget Office could review it to estimate its cost, Senate Democrats made it impossible for me to support a bill covering an issue I would like to address."

Republican Congressman Reid Ribble says he voted for the original House bill. He did not vote for the final proposal.

Ribble also released a statement saying:

"The improvements made in the House bill would strengthen oversight and coordination among federal agencies to ensure that program dollars are directed where they are needed most. The Senate bill does not make improvements of this nature."

President Barack Obama says he plans to sign the VAWA extension into law.