Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page 47
J. Studies Related to Violence Against Women
The VAWA 2000 requires that the Attorney General conduct national studies and report to
Congress on ―State laws that address discrimination against victims of domestic violence
and sexual assault related to the issuance of insurance policies.‖85 The Attorney General is
also required to conduct a national survey of ―plans, programs, and practices developed to
assist employers and employees on appropriate responses in the workplace relating to
domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.‖86 Congress has appropriated $5 million for
Fiscal Year 2001 for studies related to violence against women.87
Recently in New York City, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani signed into law an ordinance
prohibiting employers from ―firing or refusing to hire people who are threatened, stalked or
attacked by a current or former spouse, significant other or roommate.‖88 Nationwide, it is
estimated that there are 30,000 to 40,000 incidents of on-the-job violence annually where
the victims know their attackers intimately.89
K. Rape Prevention and Education
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes and expands its grant program for rape prevention and
education at $80 million for fiscal years 2001-05.90 Rape prevention grants focus on
educational seminars, hotlines, training for professionals, preparation of informational
material, and education about drugs used to facilitate rape.91 Grants are available for the
education and training of judges and court personnel on subjects such as custody and
visitation issues in families with domestic violence and evaluating expert testimony in
custody and visitation determinations involving domestic violence.92
L. Title III – Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children
1. Safe Havens for Children Pilot Program
The VAWA 2000 creates a pilot program making grants available to states, units of local
governments, Indian tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to provide supervised
visitation of children in domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and stalking cases.93
The VAWA 2000 authorizes $15 million for fiscal years 2001-02.
2. Reauthorization of Victims of Child Abuse Programs
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes a program whereby courts appoint Special Advocates for
children at $12 million for fiscal years 2001-05 (Court Appointed Special Advocate
Program).94 It also reauthorizes training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners
specializing in child abuse (Child Abuse Training Programs) at $2.3 million for fiscal years
2001-05.95 Furthermore, it reauthorizes grants for televised testimony at $1 million for fiscal
years 2001-05.96 Congress has appropriated $14.5 million for Fiscal Year 2001 for Victims of
Child Abuse Programs.97
3. Report on Effects of Parental Kidnapping Laws in Domestic Violence Cases
The VAWA 2000 requires a study and report to Congress on federal and state laws relating
to parental kidnapping and child custody.98
M. Other Provisions
The VAWA 2000 establishes a national Domestic Violence Task Force ―to coordinate research
on domestic violence and to report to Congress ....‖99 The legislation also includes laws
that protect battered immigrant women,100 as well as older and disabled women, from
domestic violence.101 Grants are available to schools for campus security.102
J. Studies Related to Violence Against Women
The VAWA 2000 requires that the Attorney General conduct national studies and report to
Congress on ―State laws that address discrimination against victims of domestic violence
and sexual assault related to the issuance of insurance policies.‖85 The Attorney General is
also required to conduct a national survey of ―plans, programs, and practices developed to
assist employers and employees on appropriate responses in the workplace relating to
domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.‖86 Congress has appropriated $5 million for
Fiscal Year 2001 for studies related to violence against women.87
Recently in New York City, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani signed into law an ordinance
prohibiting employers from ―firing or refusing to hire people who are threatened, stalked or
attacked by a current or former spouse, significant other or roommate.‖88 Nationwide, it is
estimated that there are 30,000 to 40,000 incidents of on-the-job violence annually where
the victims know their attackers intimately.89
K. Rape Prevention and Education
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes and expands its grant program for rape prevention and
education at $80 million for fiscal years 2001-05.90 Rape prevention grants focus on
educational seminars, hotlines, training for professionals, preparation of informational
material, and education about drugs used to facilitate rape.91 Grants are available for the
education and training of judges and court personnel on subjects such as custody and
visitation issues in families with domestic violence and evaluating expert testimony in
custody and visitation determinations involving domestic violence.92
L. Title III – Limiting the Effects of Violence on Children
1. Safe Havens for Children Pilot Program
The VAWA 2000 creates a pilot program making grants available to states, units of local
governments, Indian tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to provide supervised
visitation of children in domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and stalking cases.93
The VAWA 2000 authorizes $15 million for fiscal years 2001-02.
2. Reauthorization of Victims of Child Abuse Programs
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes a program whereby courts appoint Special Advocates for
children at $12 million for fiscal years 2001-05 (Court Appointed Special Advocate
Program).94 It also reauthorizes training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners
specializing in child abuse (Child Abuse Training Programs) at $2.3 million for fiscal years
2001-05.95 Furthermore, it reauthorizes grants for televised testimony at $1 million for fiscal
years 2001-05.96 Congress has appropriated $14.5 million for Fiscal Year 2001 for Victims of
Child Abuse Programs.97
3. Report on Effects of Parental Kidnapping Laws in Domestic Violence Cases
The VAWA 2000 requires a study and report to Congress on federal and state laws relating
to parental kidnapping and child custody.98
M. Other Provisions
The VAWA 2000 establishes a national Domestic Violence Task Force ―to coordinate research
on domestic violence and to report to Congress ....‖99 The legislation also includes laws
that protect battered immigrant women,100 as well as older and disabled women, from
domestic violence.101 Grants are available to schools for campus security.102
