Obama signs Violence Against Women Act
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US President Barack Obama has signed into law
the new Violence Against Women Act, which he termed “very important” and
representing the positive progress of the country.
“One of the great legacies of this law is that it didn’t just
change the rules; it changed our culture. It empowered people to start
speaking out. It made it okay for us, as a society, to talk about
domestic abuse,” Obama said on Thursday on the occasion of the signing
ceremony.
“It made it possible for us, as a country, to address the problem
in a real and meaningful way. It made clear to victims that they always
had a place to go and they always had people on their side,” said the US
President.
Originally passed in 1994 and reauthorised since, the Act provides
support for organisations that serve domestic violence victims.
Criminal prosecutions of abusers are generally the responsibility
of local authorities, but the Act stiffened sentences for stalking under
federal law.
Coinciding with the signing of the Act, the Hindu American Seva
Charities a grassroots body on Thursday announced the launch of the
‘Hindus United Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse’ awareness
campaign.
“As we celebrate Women’s History month and the International
Women’s Day, let us pledge to bring to the forefront the Dharmic value
of equality (samata) in all aspects of our lives and community,” said
Anju Bhargava, HASC Founder.
HASC kicked off its awareness campaign by placing posters at the
Hindu American Temple and Cultural Center in Morganville, New Jersey,
Hindu Center of Charlotte, North Carolina and the Shiva Vishnu Temple in
Maryland.
“Women are a source of strength and support in all communities. We
are proud to be part of this pioneering initiative for the Hindu
community,” said Priti Mehta and Dolly Pandya, who initiated the poster
development project.
