The landmark bill targeting the enhanced protection of women and preventive procedures was introduced and made a law in 1994. It continued to be reauthorized until several controversial additions, which are reflected in the act’s 2013 iteration. The recent expiration led to an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate the legislation, and it is still inactive. The original law and its updated version were significant in highlighting the variety of crimes committed against women and underlining the measures of prevention and punishment, although its effectiveness in achieving justice is debatable.
The law addresses a broad spectrum of issues which concern violence against women. Some initiatives, such as issuing protective orders regardless of whether the targeted act is criminal, appear progressive on paper (“Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994”, 1994). Child abuse is also taken seriously by the law, as it prescribes preventive and rehabilitating measures, punishment, and specialists to be educated on the issue (“Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994”, 1994). The later reauthorizations saw similar attention given to child neglect, although the original legislation did not ignore it. However, the prescriptions are meaningless if the law enforcement system does not act upon them. Unfortunately, even if the law enables involvement in abusive situations, some may treat families as sacred unions (“Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994”, 1994). The attitude of not sharing what happens in private due to the stigma is also harmful. Thus, while the law appears effective in theory, it faces centuries of specific views on women and families.
As mentioned before, the settings for violence against women are numerous, ranging from home to the workplace. Colleges serve as an ambiguous environment, as for a long time, they were exclusively for men. The law, especially in the 2013 version, tackles campus violence and considers its various manifestations, such as stalking (“Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013”, 2013). The measures described are either preventive or oriented towards increasing the effectiveness of law enforcers in combating violent cases (“Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013”, 2013). Support services and protection orders are also available to the victims (“Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013”, 2013). The means are adequate, but their implementation depends on the conscienceless of the powerful parties involved.
References
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, Publ. L. No. 113-4, 127 Stat. 54 (2013).
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Publ. L. No. 103-322, H. R. 3355-301 (1994).