Groups call for passage of Violence Against Women Act

The Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault today called for pressure on U-S lawmakers to pass the “Violence Against Women Act.” Coalition executive director Elizabeth Barnhill says the Violence Against Women Act provides funding to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Barnhill says about 7,000 women and children are affected by the programs involved each year in Iowa.She says Iowa has received over eight million dollars through the program in the last five years.Barnhill says the issue is currently stalled in Congress, and they’re encouraging Iowans to write legislators to get the issue moving.The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Crime Victim Assistance Division of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office are also pushing for the passage of VAWA.