Legal Definitions - Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that was enacted to protect women from gender-motivated violence. It provides a federal civil-rights action for victims of such violence.

For example, if a woman is physically assaulted by her partner because of her gender, she can use VAWA to seek legal remedies and damages.

However, in 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that the civil-remedy provision of VAWA was unconstitutional. The Court held that Congress did not have the authority to enact it under the Commerce Clause or the Enforcement Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Despite this setback, VAWA remains an important law that has helped many women seek justice and protection from violence.