ADVOCATES GATHER TO COMMEMORATE THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

VAWA press release 9-9-14

ADVOCATES GATHER TO COMMEMORATE THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT

For Immediate Release: September 9, 2014
Contact: Beth Meeks, (225) 752-1296

Washington, DC – September 9, 2014 – Leaders from around the nation gather this week in Washington, DC, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Signed into law in 1994, VAWA drastically changed the landscape of services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Since then, there have been profound improvements in the response to these crimes across the United States.
Today, several advocates from Louisiana join Vice President Joe Biden at “1 is 2 Many: Twenty Years Fighting Violence Against Women and Girls.” The event commemorates the VAWA anniversary as well as the work of organizations who serve survivors of violence against women.
Four domestic violence programs from Louisiana have been highlighted by the White House as exemplary programs addressing violence against women. These include The Wellspring Alliance for Families in Monroe, The New Orleans Family Justice Center, The Haven in Houma, and Faith House of Acadiana in Lafayette. These program profiles can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/1is2many.
“We are honored to take part in this event. It is great to see many of our member programs profiled by the White House. It speaks to the hard work and innovation of the domestic violence movement in Louisiana,” said Beth Meeks, executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “The Violence Against Women Act is absolutely crucial legislation that provides much-needed support to survivors of domestic violence. We are grateful to be here with leaders from across the nation as we commemorate its passage and look to the future of the movement to end violence against women.”

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The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV) is a state wide network of battered women’s programs, other organizations and individuals who share the goal of ending violence against women and children in Louisiana. LCADV empowers its members through advocacy, education, resource development and technical assistance.

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