Press Releases

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) introduced two amendments in the Violence Against Women Act that passed today in the House. 

Her first amendment focuses on suicide prevention. It directs the Office of Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to report to Congress within 180 days on actions taken to prevent suicide amongst survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The amendment also requires DOJ and SAMHSA to establish best practices to prevent suicide amongst survivors or sexual assault. 

Her second amendment ensures that VAWA programs and services are provided in a culturally relevant manner. It would ensure that certain legal services for families are culturally relevant. It would also require the Department of Labor to conduct the national public outreach and education campaigns to raise public awareness of the workplace impact of domestic violence in a culturally relevant manner. 

“The Violence Against Women Act provides women with protections that are a matter of life and death,” said Leger Fernández.  “In New Mexico, 1 in 3 women have experienced domestic violence. My amendments will help prevent suicide amongst survivors of sexual assault and recognizes that our diverse communities need to receive culturally relevant legal aid and outreach programs. I urge the Senate to act swiftly and reauthorize these critical protections for women all across our Nation.” 

The Congresswoman’s amendments are especially significant to New Mexico. The state has the 4th highest suicide rate in the country, with 513 suicides every year. 37.6% of New Mexican women have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. Studies show that victims of intimate partner violence are at an elevated risk for having suicidal ideations or making suicide attempts. 

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