STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER ROSEMONDE PIERRE-LOUIS ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF PASSAGE OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA)

Posted  By: C. Harrison/Sept 13, 2014

“Today I am honored to celebrate the 20th anniversary  of the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which dramatically enriched the way in which we respond to domestic violence, Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence.  In New York City, VAWA has significantly expanded protections and services for victims of domestic violence allowing the City to create the largest network of NYC Family Justice Centers in the United States, expand safe emergency shelters, increase the availability of civil legal assistance and conduct early intervention services. There have been so many remarkable accomplishments since VAWA was first created and we have made great strides in the last 20 years…..but there is still more work to be done. As we mark this important milestone, let us renew our commitment to eradicating gender based violence, ” She said.