BOSTON, Feb. 5, 2013—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley yesterday joined US Senator Elizabeth Warren, State Representative Ruth B. Balser, and Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins to support the reauthorization of federal legislation supporting the victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

The rally for the Violence Against Women Act was held yesterday at Casa Myrna in Boston’s South End to encourage Congress to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, legislation co-sponsored by Warren.

The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 was groundbreaking federal legislation that provided increased resources dedicated to preventing and responding to acts of violence against women. It was reauthorized in 2000 and again in 2005 before expiring in 2011.

“We’ve made great strides in reducing violence against women and intimate partner violence since VAWA was first passed,” Conley said, “but much more remains to be done and we can’t allow this issue to be ignored. Domestic violence and sexual assault aren’t just law enforcement issues. They’re issues of public health and public policy.”

The event was hosted by Casa Myrna, which offers comprehensive programs for the victims of domestic and dating violence. In addition to operating the statewide SafeLink hotline at 877-785-2020, Casa Myrna provides residential programs, education, and public awareness in the greater Boston area.

As district attorney – and as a Suffolk prosecutor before that – Conley has dedicated himself to reducing and preventing crimes of sexual violence. He is a co-chair of this year’s Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign, which encourages men to take an active role in ending domestic and sexual violence by pledging not to commit, condone, or remain silent on acts of violence against women. More recently, he helped draft proposed legislation that would enhance penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders and specifically target assault by strangulation, which has a high correlation with homicide and attempted homicide.

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