The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), first passed in 1994, provides a lifeline for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It’s been months since the House of Congress passed H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (see details on H.R. 1585 here), with strong bipartisan support. H.R. 1585 was passed on April 4, 2019. Now it is time for Senators to act on a similar bill that maintains important protections for vulnerable survivors while making critical improvements to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, sex trafficking and stalking in our tribal communities.

On the 25^thanniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) developed this VAWA reauthorization awareness social media toolkit to aid our community, relatives, advocates, and our Native youth in educating our Tribal leaders and federal government leaders about the needs of Native survivors of violence and why the reauthorization of VAWA is critical to meeting these needs. This social media toolkit centers on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the need to call on our Senators on these important improvements that are needed NOW to protect our Native women, children and community!

Choose one of the Facebook/Instagram posts below or write your own!

Sample Facebook/Instagram Posts:

Since its enactment, each reauthorization of VAWA, has resulted in victories to support the tribal authority and safe resources needed for increasing the safety of Native women across the United States. I call on you, Senators, to pass #HR1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, that will provide protections for Native victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking. #VAWA19 #VAWA4Natives #VAWA4ALL

The House did the right thing and passed #HR1585 with strong bipartisan support. Now it’s your turn! Senators! Protect our Native women and children. #VAWA19 #VAWA4Natives #VAWA4ALL

Choose one of the tweets below or write your own!

Sample Tweets:

The House did the right thing in passing #HR1585. Now it’s your turn, Senate! #VAWA4ALL

@[SenatorHandle] Reauthorize #VAWA19 for Native victims & survivors NOW! Pass a Senate #HR1585 companion. #VAWA4Natives

@[TribalLeaderHandle] call on Senators to pass #VAWA19. Protect our Native women! #VAWA4Native

@[SenatorHandle] majority of AI/AN Women are victims of intimate partner violence/sexual violence/stalking, often by non-tribal members. #VAWA19 will hold non-Native abusers accountable. #VAWA4Native

#HR1585 will ensure tribes have the power to prosecute non-Native sexual abusers who prey on Native women. Our Native women deserve justice & safety. #VAWA4Natives

More than half of AI/AN women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. @[TribalLeaderHandle] call on Senate to pass #VAWA19 to end sexual violence! #VAWA4Natives

Download and use the social media memes below to have your voice heard.