NCJ Number
174643
Journal
USA Bulletin Volume: 47 Issue: issue Dated: January 1999 Pages: 36-41
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the offenses and statutes now available in both the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Gun Control Act to protect victims of domestic violence.
Abstract
VAWA (1994) created Federal domestic violence crimes for the Department of Justice to prosecute. Consistent with this Federal initiative, the Crime Bill also amended the Gun Control Act to include domestic violence-related crimes. In 1996 Congress enacted additional Federal domestic violence crimes in both VAWA and the Gun Control Act. The domestic violence laws contain specific prohibitions against and penalties for Interstate Travel to Commit Domestic Violence, Interstate Stalking, Interstate Travel to Violate an Order of Protection, and Firearm Offenses While Subject to Order of Protection. Other relevant statutes concern full faith and credit to orders of protection, amendment of the Brady statement, right of victim to speak at bail hearing, and restitution. The article includes a checklist of Federal domestic violence statutes and offenses. Notes