Following testimony from New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal at today’s Assembly Budget Committee hearing, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (D-Burlington) released the following statement:
“As countless stories of harassment, abuse and assault come to light in the #MeToo era, it’s all the more crucial that we fully support the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The programs funded by VAWA help law enforcement officials like Attorney General Grewal prosecute crimes against women and help survivors get the justice they deserve. Unfortunately, political infighting in Washington has allowed VAWA to expire, leaving survivors without access to critical resources. Women deserve far better.
“We in New Jersey are committed to ending violence against women, starting with ensuring programs like those funded by VAWA are able reach women who need help. That’s why I’ve introduced a measure (ACR-215) to urge Congress to reauthorize VAWA and emphasize the importance of anti-violence resources. We won’t stop fighting until VAMA is funded, and its future is protected.”