The 2000 Alabama State Legislature passed three
key bills to improve the lives of women living in domestic violence.
Domestic Violence as a Crime stiffens penalties for repeat offenders
and doubles the sentences of abusers who violate a Protection
from Abuse (PFA) Order
Holding Period Bill provides a "cooling
off period" in jail for offenders arrested for domestic
violence crimes.
Domestic Abuse Insurance Protection Act prohibits insurance
discrimination against victims of domestic violence.
On January 5, 2006, the Violence Against Women
Act of 2005 (VAWA) was signed into law by President George W.
Bush. VAWA reauthorizes existing programs to combat domestic
violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, and creates
new ones to meet emerging needs of communities working to prevent
the violence.
