Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today to pass a bipartisan long-term Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization and protect tribal children and elders from domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is a pervasive problem regardless of class, culture, age or ethnic background,” said Larsen. “There are still parts of the country with insufficient resources to provide basic services to victims of domestic and sexual violence. Our message to survivors must be clear: when you come forward for help and support, it will be available, and it will be safe.”

Larsen’s bipartisan amendment expands VAWA protections to include violence against Tribal elders and children under the age of 18, which would support local Tribes in the Second District. For example, since 2014, of the 30 cases in the Tulalip Tribes, 20 involved children, yet only one case was prosecuted.

According to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, there were more than 1,200 domestic violence fatalities in Washington state between 1997 and June 2018, including homicides and suicides.

VAWA has helped save the lives of thousands of women. The legislation provides critical funding support to victims, survivors and communities, ensuring they have necessary resources to seek justice and receive care.

Larsen has been a strong supporter of VAWA. He successfully included International Marriage Broker Regulation Act in the 2006 reauthorization of VAWA to protect foreign women brought to the U.S. for marriage. Washington state was the first state to pass legislation criminalizing human trafficking.

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