The first call I responded to as a young police officer involved domestic violence, and I will never forget any of the domestic violence and sexual assault cases to which I responded. Nothing shaped my life more than those cases and my 13 years on the force.
That is why reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is so important to me. Since it was signed into law in 1994, this bill has provided survivors of abuse and violence with the resources and tools they need to seek justice and recover. It is a life-saving law.
Today we voted to fully reauthorize VAWA, and it includes my Native Youth and Tribal Officer Protection Act, which strengthens protections for children impacted by domestic violence and tribal law enforcement officers responding to these calls.
We have an obligation to protect children and other survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and I am pleased we were able to come together to reauthorize this critical law.
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Sincerely,
Tom O’Halleran
