Impact Impact Feature Issue on Violence Against Women with Developmental or Other Disabilities

On October 11, 2000, the U.S. Senate passed legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, originally passed in 1994. The bill was signed into law by President Clinton on October 28. In the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, there is additional language addressing the needs of women with disabilities, and providing funding for expanded protection, services, and education. Below are sections that specifically talk about women with disabilities:

SEC. 1209. ENHANCING PROTECTIONS FOR OLDER AND DISABLED WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

(a) ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION – The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (108 Stat.1902 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following...

“SEC. 40802. Training Programs for Law Enforcement Officers. The Attorney General may make grants for training programs to assist law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and relevant officers of Federal, State, tribal, and local courts in recognizing, addressing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and violence against individuals with disabilities, including domestic violence and sexual assault, against older or disabled individuals.”

“SEC. 40803. Authorization of Appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005...”

(b) PROTECTIONS FOR OLDER AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN PRO-ARREST GRANTS – Section 2101(b) of part U of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796hh et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(8) To develop or strengthen policies and training for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of domestic violence and sexual assault against older individuals (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002)) and individuals with disabilities (as defined in section 3(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.12102(2))).”

(c) PROTECTIONS FOR OLDER AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN STOP GRANTS- Section 2001(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796gg(b)) (as amended by section 1103(b) of this division) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(10) developing, enlarging, or strengthening programs to assist law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and others to address the needs and circumstances of older and disabled women who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, including recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of such violence or assault and targeting outreach and support, counseling, and other victim services to such older and disabled individuals; and”....

TITLE IV – STRENGTHENING EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

SEC. 1401. RAPE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION. (a) IN GENERAL. – Part J of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280B et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 393A the following:

“SEC. 393B. USE OF ALLOTMENTS FOR RAPE PREVENTION EDUCATION.

“(a) PERMITTED USE. – The Secretary, acting through the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award targeted grants to States to be used for rape prevention and education programs conducted by rape crisis centers, State sexual assault coalitions, and other public and private nonprofit entities for ...efforts to increase awareness of the facts about, or to help prevent, sexual assault, including efforts to increase awareness in underserved communities and awareness among individuals with disabilities ...”

SEC. 1402. EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST AND ABUSE OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, may award grants to States, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, and nongovernmental private entities to provide education and technical assistance for the purpose of providing training, consultation, and information on domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault against women who are individuals with disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)).

(b) PRIORITIES- In awarding grants under this section, the Attorney General shall give priority to applications designed to provide education and technical assistance on –

1. the nature, definition, and characteristics of domestic violence , stalking, and sexual assault experienced by women who are individuals with disabilities;
2. outreach activities to ensure that women who are individuals with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault receive appropriate assistance;
3. the requirements of shelters and victim services organizations under Federal anti-discrimination laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and
4. cost-effective ways that shelters and victim services may accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

(c) USES OF GRANTS – Each recipient of a grant under this section shall provide information and training to organizations and programs that provide services to individuals with disabilities, including independent living centers, disability-related service organizations, and domestic violence programs providing shelter or related assistance.

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS – There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005.