{"id":351813,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-violence\/federal-domestic-violence-legislation-the-violence-against-women.html"},"modified":"2026-07-16T11:24:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:24:00","slug":"federal-domestic-violence-legislation-the-violence-against-women","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/federal-domestic-violence-legislation-the-violence-against-women.html","title":{"rendered":"Federal Domestic Violence Law: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Federal Domestic Violence Law: Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) is the first comprehensive federal law seeking an end to domestic violence. VAWA provides funds to support investigations and prosecution. It also created resources for survivors of domestic violence, regardless of their gender. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Violence Against Women Act fights domestic violence from many angles. It funded legal tools against domestic violence and sexual violence. The law also created new federal crimes for intimate partner violence and violations of protection orders.<\/p>\n

VAWA provides legal help for survivors of domestic violence who seek protection or restraining orders. It also created the\u00a0national domestic violence hotline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn about VAWA’s provisions and how it protects women and domestic violence survivors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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If you’re facing domestic violence, you are not alone. There are legal tools to help keep you and your children safe. Find local legal help<\/a> or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at\u00a0<\/b>(1-800-799-7233).<\/p>\n

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Does VAWA Only Protect Women?<\/h2>\n

No, the law applies to all survivors. Anyone may become a target of domestic abuse, including men<\/a>.<\/p>\n

VAWA arose from a growing conversation about gender-based violence. Like the outdated term \u201cbattered woman syndrome<\/a>,\u201d it began with a focus on helping women.<\/p>\n

Yet, dating and family violence are not limited to one gender. So even though VAWA\u2019s title refers to violence against women, the law is gender-neutral in its application. It protects survivors regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

History of VAWA\u2019s Passage and Reauthorization<\/h2>\n

Lawmakers enacted VAWA as Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Its passage came after an intense period of victim advocacy in the 1970s and 1980s. Other legal changes, like no-fault divorce laws<\/a>, happened during this period.<\/p>\n

Congress later passed the VAWA reauthorization act in 2000, 2005, and 2013. The law expanded to include more initiatives, including:<\/p>\n