Obama signs Violence Against Women Act
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.
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