Director Rosie Hidalgo delivered remarks on the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) at the Great Hall of the Justice Department. The event, attended by participants both in person and online, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to prevent and end domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and other forms of gender-based violence.
"Good morning, everyone, and welcome! I’m Rosie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), and it’s truly an honor to be gathered here with all of you in the Great Hall of the Justice Department and with all of you participating online," Hidalgo began.
Hidalgo emphasized the collective efforts that have led to this pivotal moment. "Your collective efforts have led to this pivotal milestone, and it’s an honor to welcome you as we reflect on our unwavering commitment and dedication to increasing access to justice, safety and healing for all survivors, and fostering safe communities free from violence."
The agenda for the day included discussions on VAWA's origins, centering survivors in their work, enhancing collaboration through a coordinated federal response, among other topics. "None of this would be possible without your hard work and commitment. Today is about you — the incredible survivors, advocates and partners who have made this progress possible and who are committed to continuing to advance these goals," she said.
Special guests included Jen Klein from the White House Gender Policy Council; Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Ben Mizer; Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco; and Attorney General Merrick Garland. Introducing Garland, Hidalgo noted his role in safeguarding national interests: "Attorney General Garland is entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of safeguarding our nation, and we are deeply grateful for his unwavering support of OVW’s mission and initiatives."
In her closing remarks, Hidalgo thanked attendees for their dedication over three decades. "As we come to the close of today’s event... thank you for your dedication, and for your continued commitment to the work we do together."
She highlighted VAWA's evolution over its reauthorizations: "Each reauthorization has provided an opportunity to identify what works well that can be scaled...and how we can identify and address gaps and barriers." She also mentioned that since OVW's establishment in 1995 due to VAWA, over $11 billion in grants have been awarded across various entities supporting gender-based violence prevention.
Looking forward, Hidalgo spoke about new grant programs launched through VAWA's 2022 reauthorization: "We look forward to implementing many new grant programs that were established through the 2022 reauthorization of VAWA." She reiterated a commitment to enhancing Coordinated Community Response at multiple levels ensuring survivor-centered pathways.
"The journey forward requires all of us...to continue pushing for change," she stated. She urged attendees to use their energy from discussions during the event: "Let’s build on the progress we’ve made...and ensure that we never lose sight of the survivors whose voices have guided and continue to guide this work."
Hidalgo concluded by expressing gratitude for everyone's efforts: "Thank you again for your tireless efforts...Together, we can continue to move forward."