BTWI plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Human Trafficking policies, ensuring that victims are informed of their rights and receive the protection they need. We are dedicated to educating both victims and survivors, empowering them with the knowledge they require to seek help and safeguard their well-being. 

 BTWI is actively engaged in working on both local and national levels to proactively and strategically advocate for systemic change to Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Human Trafficking policies and laws. We are committed to being a driving force in engaging with legislation, fostering reform, and ensuring that these policies better protect and support victims and survivors. Our involvement in public policy change includes collaborating with legislators, government agencies, and advocacy groups to drive meaningful change and raise awareness of the importance of these issues. 

Domestic Violence-Centered Policies:

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fund 

Created in 1984, the VOCA Fund uses non-taxpayer money from the Crime Victims Fund to support state and local programs aiding crime victims, including victim assistance grants. 

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) 

FVPSA, authorized in 1984, is the federal funding source for survivors of domestic violence shelters and programs, providing life-saving services for victims and their children. 

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 

Enacted in 1994, VAWA fosters comprehensive responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. VAWA programs have greatly improved responses to these crimes at federal, tribal, state, and local levels. 

Intimate Partner Abuse Policies 

 Intimate partner violence is an increasing problem in the United States, affecting many people. Study shows that approximately one in three women and nearly one in three men are victims of abuse, rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. 

 A worldwide study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that more than half of physically abused women in ten countries had never sought help from support services or authorities, such as health services, shelters, the police, or government organizations. This global pattern highlights the need for more effective support structures. 

 Federal Help for Victims 

The U.S. federal government has established laws to assist victims of intimate partner violence. Two important statutes are the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA) and the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA). 

Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act (VRRA) 

Under VRRA, victims are entitled to certain services, including access to information about where they can receive medical and social assistance, knowledge of available public and private counseling, treatment, and support programs, reasonable protection from suspected offenders and their associates, updates on the status of investigations that do not hinder the legal process, and the safekeeping and return of personal property held as evidence. 

Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) 

CVRA provides victims with essential rights. These include protection from the accused, timely and accurate notification of legal proceedings, the right to attend public court sessions, the opportunity to voice their concerns during court processes related to release, plea, sentencing, or parole, the ability to consult with the government attorney handling the case, access to full and timely restitution as provided by law, fair and respectful treatment, proceedings free from unreasonable delays, information about plea bargains and deferred prosecution agreements, and the notification of rights and services, along with contact information for the Office of the Victims’ Rights Ombudsman at the Department of Justice. 

Human Trafficking-Centered Policies:

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) 

The TVPA, a federal law established in 2000, is the main framework for tackling human trafficking. It’s been updated and supported by bipartisan efforts, with $250 million allocated in FY19. The TVPA focuses on three things: preventing trafficking, prosecuting traffickers, and protecting victims. 

Federal Anti-Trafficking Agencies 

Different government agencies work together to combat human trafficking. Homeland Security deals with cases involving foreign nationals, the FBI leads in domestic minor sex trafficking cases, and the Justice Department handles prosecutions and awareness campaigns. 

 Federal Government Procurement Rules 

Federal spending rules prevent contracts with those involved in human trafficking. If a contract is over $500,000, the contractor must have a plan to prevent trafficking and confirm their supply chain is free from trafficking. Rules for handling violations are explained in FAR 22.1704, and FAR 52.222-50 sets a zero-tolerance policy for trafficking. 

Supply Chain Protections 

Multiple federal laws are in place to prohibit the importation of goods produced with trafficked labor. The Customs and Facilitations and Trade Enforcement Act and the Tariff Act of 1930 both work to prevent goods produced with forced or indentured labor from entering the U.S.