Tester calls on Congress to support survivors of violence

Senator writes letter of support for VAWA and VOCAA

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester is urging the leadership of Senate Appropriations Committee to protect women and children who are survivors of violence as the panel begins its work on the 2015 Appropriations bill.

In two separate letters, Tester is asking for a continued commitment of support for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA).

“These programs have long-term positive impacts for victims of abuse and children who witness violence against family members,” wrote Tester, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “These programs help stop the generational cycle of violence.”

VAWA provides training and educational sessions for parents, teachers, law enforcement and other professionals to prevent, identify and respond to domestic and sexual violence. It also gives tribes more tools to prosecute domestic violence on reservations.

VOCAA provides funding to local Child Advocacy Centers that serve child abuse survivors.

Senator Tester’s letters of support for VAWA and VOCAA to Senate Appropriations Chairman Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) are available online.