Senator Patrick Leahy is pushing legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
He says it’s the centerpiece of the federal government’s attempts to stamp out domestic and sexual violence.
Leahy says federal funding has enabled the network to help 7,000 adults and nearly 1,400 children in Vermont during the past year.
It’s also enabled Attorney General Bill Sorrell’s office to add a position dedicated to combating domestic violence.
The law also provides training to police and prosecutors and housing for victims and their children.