Rep. Johnson blasts attempts to roll back protections for victims of domestic violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today spoke out against House Republicans’ version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which rolls back and weakens protections for all victims, including LGBT, immigrant and Native American women:

“This burdensome bill is shocking in its callousness towards women and victims of domestic violence. It is as almost as if Republicans targeted the most vulnerable among us and stripped away their rights.

“Not only does this bill create counter-productive requirements for service providers to help victims, but it weakens resources for victims living in subsidized housing, lacks important protections for LGBT victims, fails to adequately protect Native American victims and eliminates important improvements to address dating violence and sexual assault on college campuses.

“And as if that wasn’t enough, the bill slashes long-standing protections that remain vital to the safety and protection of battered immigrant victims.

“Our nation’s laws should continue to strengthen protections for our most vulnerable citizens – not roll back those safeguards.”

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