Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page 44
C. Decrease in Intimate Partner Violence
The Attorney General announced last year that the Bureau of Justice Statistics released a
Special Report on Intimate Partner Violence indicating that violence against women by
intimate partners fell by 21% from 1993-1998.28 While that figure is encouraging, the
Attorney General nevertheless stated that it is still high: ―intimate partner violence made up
22% of violent crime against women‖ during that period.29 ―In 1998, women made up
nearly 75% of the 1,830 intimate partner murder victims. And the percentage of female
murder victims killed by intimate partners has remained constant at about 30% since
1976.‖30
II. The Violence Against Women Act of 2000
When Congress reauthorized the VAWA31 in 2000, it reappropriated money to fund the
numerous programs originally created under the VAWA 1994 as well as new programs.
Mental health and legal professionals who assist victims of cults should be aware of the
programs that are available to women and children who have been abused by someone they
know. Additionally, mental health and legal professionals may be interested in applying for
grants to establish programs or to perform research studies. The website for the VAWO
includes information about grants provided to states and local communities.32 One can click
on a map of the United States and view what each state has received, as well as individual
program summaries.33
In addition to the numerous programs it authorizes and reauthorizes, the VAWA 2000
expands definitions for certain legal terms. These terms and improved definitions may be
useful for members attempting to bring civil claims against other cult members or leaders,
and for prosecutors who attempt to win convictions against cult members and their leaders.
Highlights of the VAWA 2000 are:34
A. Dating Violence
Historically, prosecutors have had difficulty securing convictions against abusers who have
dated their victims.35 The VAWA 2000 provides a better definition for the term ―dating
violence,‖ which will aid prosecutors in their work.36 The term and its improved definition
have been added to several grant programs administered by VAWO that seek to encourage
arrests and reduce violence.37
The definition of ―dating violence‖ as it now appears in the current VAWA 2000 is: ―violence
committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate
nature with the victim.‖38 The existence of such a relationship is determined by the following
factors: ―1) length of the relationship 2) type of relationship and 3) frequency of
interaction between the persons involved.‖39 Various programs created and funded under
the VAWA 2000 now include prevention and prosecution of ―dating violence.‖40
Personal relationships between cult members and leaders may involve ―dating violence.‖
This improved legislation may provide assistance.
B. Interstate Domestic Violence
The VAWA 2000 clarifies language pertaining to the crime of ―Interstate Domestic
Violence.‖41 In this crime, the offender is the ―spouse or intimate partner‖ of the victim. The
offender travels in interstate or foreign commerce with the ―intent to kill, injure, harass, or
intimidate‖ his victim or he causes the victim to travel in interstate or foreign commerce.42
This new language brings the provision more solidly under the Commerce Clause of the
Federal Constitution.43 With this crime, the offender commits or attempts to commit a
violent act against the spouse or intimate partner.
Note that ―spouse or intimate partner‖ is now defined as: ―a spouse or former spouse of the
abuser, a person who shares a child in common with the abuser, [or] a person who cohabits
C. Decrease in Intimate Partner Violence
The Attorney General announced last year that the Bureau of Justice Statistics released a
Special Report on Intimate Partner Violence indicating that violence against women by
intimate partners fell by 21% from 1993-1998.28 While that figure is encouraging, the
Attorney General nevertheless stated that it is still high: ―intimate partner violence made up
22% of violent crime against women‖ during that period.29 ―In 1998, women made up
nearly 75% of the 1,830 intimate partner murder victims. And the percentage of female
murder victims killed by intimate partners has remained constant at about 30% since
1976.‖30
II. The Violence Against Women Act of 2000
When Congress reauthorized the VAWA31 in 2000, it reappropriated money to fund the
numerous programs originally created under the VAWA 1994 as well as new programs.
Mental health and legal professionals who assist victims of cults should be aware of the
programs that are available to women and children who have been abused by someone they
know. Additionally, mental health and legal professionals may be interested in applying for
grants to establish programs or to perform research studies. The website for the VAWO
includes information about grants provided to states and local communities.32 One can click
on a map of the United States and view what each state has received, as well as individual
program summaries.33
In addition to the numerous programs it authorizes and reauthorizes, the VAWA 2000
expands definitions for certain legal terms. These terms and improved definitions may be
useful for members attempting to bring civil claims against other cult members or leaders,
and for prosecutors who attempt to win convictions against cult members and their leaders.
Highlights of the VAWA 2000 are:34
A. Dating Violence
Historically, prosecutors have had difficulty securing convictions against abusers who have
dated their victims.35 The VAWA 2000 provides a better definition for the term ―dating
violence,‖ which will aid prosecutors in their work.36 The term and its improved definition
have been added to several grant programs administered by VAWO that seek to encourage
arrests and reduce violence.37
The definition of ―dating violence‖ as it now appears in the current VAWA 2000 is: ―violence
committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate
nature with the victim.‖38 The existence of such a relationship is determined by the following
factors: ―1) length of the relationship 2) type of relationship and 3) frequency of
interaction between the persons involved.‖39 Various programs created and funded under
the VAWA 2000 now include prevention and prosecution of ―dating violence.‖40
Personal relationships between cult members and leaders may involve ―dating violence.‖
This improved legislation may provide assistance.
B. Interstate Domestic Violence
The VAWA 2000 clarifies language pertaining to the crime of ―Interstate Domestic
Violence.‖41 In this crime, the offender is the ―spouse or intimate partner‖ of the victim. The
offender travels in interstate or foreign commerce with the ―intent to kill, injure, harass, or
intimidate‖ his victim or he causes the victim to travel in interstate or foreign commerce.42
This new language brings the provision more solidly under the Commerce Clause of the
Federal Constitution.43 With this crime, the offender commits or attempts to commit a
violent act against the spouse or intimate partner.
Note that ―spouse or intimate partner‖ is now defined as: ―a spouse or former spouse of the
abuser, a person who shares a child in common with the abuser, [or] a person who cohabits
