Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced she led a coalition of 56 attorneys general to urge Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Madigan and the other attorneys general sent a letter earlier to Congressional leaders and the chairs of the Senate and House judiciary committees, urging lawmakers to vote to reauthorize VAWA before it expires this year. “Congress must reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act to provide continued funding and support for programs that help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Madigan said. “Millions of people experience domestic violence and sexual assault crimes, and they rely on these programs as they seek help and rebuild their lives.” Under VAWA, originally passed in 1994, over $6 billion in grant funding has been awarded to government and nonprofit organizations nationwide. The grants have funded training and assistance to address and reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The grants have also funded resources and services to assist survivors, prosecute offenders and facilitate partnerships between prosecutors, judges, advocates, community organizations and health care providers.