Arizona Domestic Violence Advocate Praises Joe Biden’s Record Protecting Women and Families

Campaign Marks Beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Biden for President Arizona is marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month by highlighting Joe Biden’s career of fighting for women across the country and underscoring his commitment to be a champion for women as President.

For one Phoenix woman, Biden’s fight to end domestic violence is personal.

Irene Diaz is the Survivor Lead of the Phoenix Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. On December 4, 1990, Diaz’s sister Juanita “Janie” Mora was murdered by her husband. It was an attempted muder-suicide, but her husband did not die. After a lengthy trial, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ultimately served 27 and ½ years. The Violence Against Women Act, written and championed by Joe Biden, was signed into law in 1994 just after the trial completed.

“I had just gone through the horrific murder trial of the man who murdered my sister when Joe Biden was working to pass the Violence Against Women Act. I remember feeling hope — for my family and for women — when that bill passed,” Diaz said. “I’ve always wanted to personally thank Joe Biden for his leadership and work to protect women from domestic violence — that’s what my vote represents this year.”
Every 44 minutes, an Arizona child witnesses intimate partner violence. Every 3 days, an Arizonan dies from domestic violence. According to the Phoenix Police Department, deaths from domestic violence increased by 140 percent in the first 6 months of 2020 compared to 2019.

One of the driving forces throughout Joe’s career has been fighting back against abuses of power — whether economic or physical. That force motivated him to write and champion the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, establish the first-ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women during the Obama-Biden Administration, and launch a national campaign to change the culture surrounding campus rape and sexual assault.

In his first 100 days, Joe Biden will reauthorize VAWA and keep guns out of the hands of abusers — business unfinished by Donald Trump, who has not lifted a finger to push the U.S. Senate to pass VAWA. The reauthorization of VAWA, already passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, includes significant, forward-looking improvements and innovations, such as reforms to keep firearms out of the hands of abusers by closing the so-called “boyfriend loophole” and “stalking loophole.” In addition, Biden will build on his strong track record of getting things done by expanding the safety net for survivors, empowering and protecting immigrants and our young people, supporting the diverse needs of survivors, confronting online harassment, and ensuring justice for survivors.

Joe understands that indigenous women are far more likely to experience gender-based violence with more than 1 in 2 Native women experiencing sexual violence in their lives — and more than 1 in 7 experiencing such violence in the past year. As president, Biden will end violence against Native women and take a comprehensive approach to end the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. In 2013, Biden fought for tribes’ rightful authority to protect Native women from abuse, and he’ll reaffirm and expand tribes’ rights to support victims and hold offenders accountable by reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. He’ll expand federal resources for Native women and girls impacted by abuse. And, he will ensure that federal law enforcement prioritizes public safety in Indian Country with engagement from tribal communities.

Resources:

• Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence: resources including chat at acesdv.org/get-help-now or helpline at 602–279–2980 (M-F 8:30–5:00)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800–799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org
• The Family Advocacy Center: 602–534–2120
• Phoenix.gov/DomesticViolence
• Text 911 if you are unable to speak
• Police non-emergency 602–262–6151