Violence Against Women Across the World

By Kaniehtonkie

At least one in three women have experienced either physical or sexual violence.

Almost half of all murdered women are killed by intimate partners or family members.

Women and girls make up 80% of the estimated 800,00 people trafficked globally.

Nearly 3 out of every 4 trafficked women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

Up to 50% of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16.

For 30% of women, their first sexual experience was forced.

Over 60 million girls worldwide are child brides married before the age of 18 years old.

At least 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone female genital mutilation.

In March 2021, the United States House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Twenty-nine Republicans broke with their party to support the bill. The VAWA offers women protections from domestic violence, sexual assault and other harassment.

President Joe Biden, who first introduced the bill as a senator in 1990, celebrated its reauthorization in the House and called on the upper chamber to “strengthen and renew” the law.

Lawmakers approved the bill in a 244-172 vote following its lapse in late 2018. The Democratic-controlled House sought to renew the bill the following year, but it was held up in the Republican-controlled Senate. The House voted 244 to 172 to renew the VAWA. Now the legislation heads to the Senate.

Releasing a statement in March, Biden said: “This should not be a Democratic or Republican issue – it’s about standing up against the abuse of power and preventing violence.” He then urged a “bipartisan coalition” in the Senate to get the law over the final hurdle.

A number of provisions in the Violence Against Women Act have widespread bipartisan support, such as state grants for sexual assault and domestic violence services and offers of housing assistance for victims of domestic abuse.

Of the 172 Republicans who voted against the bill, three men are being investigated for various alleged offenses.

Rep. Matt Gaetz is reportedly under federal investigation over an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and alleged obstruction of justice.

Rep. Jim Jordan was accused in 2018 by multiple former wrestlers at Ohio State University of ignoring and covering up sexual misconduct by a team doctor while he was a coach there from 1986 to 1994.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn facing allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by several women who say he put them in uncomfortable situations when he was a college student with the former classmates, according to CNN.

Of the 30 women who voted against VAWA, two are from Representatives from New York State; Claudia Tenney District 22 and Rep Elise Stefanik District 21. NYS District 21 is a far ranging district that includes Akwesasne.

Here’s a full list of the 172 House Republicans who voted against the altered Violence Against Women Act, including 30 women: A complete list of how each U.S. Representative voted can be found at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1620