CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Issues
2. Understanding Alcohol Abuse
3. Understanding Violence Against Women
4. Alcohol and Domestic Violence
5. Alcohol, Sexual Assault, and Rape
6. Prevention and Early Intervention
7. Screening and Assessment
8. Diagnosis and Treatment
9. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Fact Sheets
Videos
Resources

Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women

Federal Law: Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault

All jurisdictions in the United States have laws designed to protect female victims of violence. In 1994, Congress passed the 1994 Crime Bill. A part of that crime bill package, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, was the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This civil rights statute, re-authorized in 1996, strengthens many of these protections and outlines Federal and State enforcement provisions and penalties. VAWA strengthened prevention and prosecution of violent crimes against women and children and made domestic violence a civil rights violation. Thus, a victim of "crimes of violence motivated by gender" can bring a suit for damages in civil court and ask for restitution in criminal court. Some of the new provisions of VAWA include:¹

• Greater penalties for sex crimes
• Funding for programs for victims of child abuse, for the homeless, for runaways, and for street youth at risk of abuse
• Funding for States to improve law enforcement, prosecution, and services for female victims of violent crimes
• Creation of a national domestic violence hotline
• Denial of firearm ownership to anyone who has a civil protection order against them
• Disallowing the use of past sexual behavior or alleged sexual predisposition as evidence against the victim in civil or criminal court
• Requiring that the U.S. Postal Service protect the confidentiality of shelters and individual abuse victims by not disclosing addresses or other identifying information

In 2000, Congress followed up by passing VAWA II. The Violence Against Women Act II provided for a continuation of services, programs, and the creation of innovative practices and procedures begun under VAWA I. In addition, VAWA II expanded the reach of those who could be covered under its auspices to include the elderly, dating relationships and the schools, and immigrant communities.

For additional information about VAWA, go to www.megalaw.com, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo or www.firstgov.com.