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Domestic Violence

Murray's Work

Throughout her service in the United States Senate, Senator Murray has stood with victims of domestic violence and their advocates.

She has helped provide federal support for efforts in communities throughout our state and country. Senator Murray has focused on passing legislation, increasing funding, and raising awareness.

Drafted and helped pass the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.

The act created a coordinated national strategy to fight domestic violence. The Act supports programs that serve victims, prevent violence, and help police and prosecutors put abusers behind bars.

Created the "Family Violence Option" protection in the Welfare Reform Act of 1996.

The Welfare reforms of 1996 placed requirements on those who receive federal assistance. Because victims of domestic violence often have to leave their homes and jobs while still supporting a child, those provisions could be especially punitive to women trying to escape violent relationships. To protect victims of domestic violence, Senator Murray wrote and helped pass The Murray-Wellstone Amendment. The amendment, which passed in 1996 and was implemented in 1998, gives states the authority to waive punitive work and time provisions for victims of domestic violence.
Statement of Senator Murray at a Press Conference on the Family Violence Option (7/29/97)

Helped Reauthorize and Strengthen VAWA (2000)

In 2000, Sen. Murray worked to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act. The Senate VAWA Reauthorization bill, S.2787, provides:

  • additional protections for battered immigrants
  • a new temporary housing grant program to help women and their children move out of shelters
  • a new grant program to give legal assistance to women who have been victims of violence
  • a new grant program authorizing assistance for disabled women and for older women victims.
  • and improves the "Full Faith and Credit" of protection orders.

On October 28, 2000, President Clinton signed the bill into law.

Offered an Amendment to Prevent Domestic Violence

In 2004, Senator Murray offered an amendment to the Unborn Victims of Violence Act to give victims of domestic violence the support they need to escape violent relationships. She offered her Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act as an amendment to the bill, which was defeated on a party line vote.

Fought for and Strengthened VAWA Reauthorization (2005)

In 2005, Senator Murray helped to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act. The reauthorization fortifies existing programs and adds new and needed programs to help fight domestic violence.

The bill:

  • For the first time, provides a national health care response to domestic violence.

  • Ensures the confidentiality and privacy of domestic violence victims who access essential services, such as emergency shelters.

  • Addresses police officer-involved domestic violence by creating a grant program called the Crystal Judson Domestic Violence Protocol Program, will help law enforcement agencies create new protocols for handling officer-involved domestic violence. This grant program was named after Crystal Judson, a Tacoma woman who was abused and ultimately killed by her husband, a police chief.

  • Includes the Sexual Assault Services Act, which creates a separate and direct funding stream dedicated to sexual

  • Provides for a National Resource Center on Workplace Responses, which will help pave the way for workplace and economic protections.

VAWA reauthorization (Public Law 109-162) was signed into law on January 5, 2006.

Speaking Out on Domestic Violence

Senator Murray often speaks out on the Senate floor and in Washington state on domestic violence. In 2005, she held roundtable discussions in Bellevue and Everett about the importance of reauthorizing VAWA and passing the SAFE Act. Each year, she speaks to advocates who come to Washington, D.C. to lobby on domestic violence issues.

Also in 2000, the United States Supreme Court knocked down a portion of the Violence Against Women Act which had allowed victims to seek civil damages in federal Court. After the ruling, Senator Murray joined Washington state's attorney general in an op-ed in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer disputing the Court's ruling.

Visiting and supporting those on the frontlines

Senator Murray frequently meets with those who are fighting domestic violence every day. Senator Murray has visited:

  • Tacoma-Pierce County YWCA
  • Kitsap Special Assault Victims Investigative Services in Bremerton
  • Bellingham YWCA
  • Vancouver YWCA Domestic Violence Daycare Shelter
  • Spokane Domestic Violence Consortium
  • Spokane Women's Drop-In Center
  • Vashon Island Domestic Violence Outreach Services