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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IS STILL
ILLEGAL
April 2, 1999
Many of you may have read (erroneous)
reports of the death of the Violence
Against Women Act in the wake of a March
5th court decision in Virginia. In fact,
the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
ruled against only the Civil Rights
Remedy of the VAWA; its many
other provisions (including funding
for critical services) are still intact.
In the outrageous decision, the 4th
Circuit ruled that a college student
raped by two football players is
not entitled to damages from her assailants
(one of whom is still on full scholarship).
This decision is in stark contrast to
12 other courts that upheld the law
- look for the NOW
Legal Defense and Education Fund,
attorneys for the victim, to appeal
this one to the Supremes. Meanwhile
VAWA '99
(HR. 357), which will strengthen and
expand the programs in the original
VAWA (think national domestic violence
hotline and rape prevention programs),
has 157 co-sponsors in the House.
Ask your Reps if they're on board at
202-224-3121 (or send e-mail).
(WFF 4/02/99)
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