Violence Against Women Act

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that, in part, provides housing protections for people applying for or living in units subsidized by the federal government and who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, to help keep them safe and reduce the likelihood of experiencing homelessness.

Who is Covered Under VAWA?

VAWA may provide housing protections to someone who has previously or is currently experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. VAWA covers all survivors, and the survivor does not have to be married to, related to, or living with the perpetrator to be protected under VAWA.

What Forms of Violence Are Covered?

VAWA’s housing safeguards apply to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. These forms of violence (collectively called “VAWA violence/abuse”) are defined as:

Domestic Violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant funding and, in the case of victim services, includes the use or attempted use of physical abuse or sexual abuse, or a pattern of any other coercive behavior committed, enabled, or solicited to gain or maintain power and control over a victim, including verbal, psychological, economic, or technological abuse that may or may not constitute criminal behavior, by a person who —

is a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, or person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim;
is cohabitating, or has cohabitated, with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;
shares a child in common with the victim; or
commits acts against a youth or adult victim who is protected from those acts under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction.

Dating violence means violence committed by a person—

who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
1. The length of the relationship.
2. The type of relationship.
3. The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

Sexual Assault is any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.

Stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to— (A) fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or (B) suffer substantial emotional distress.

VAWA Notice and Forms

Additional Information

If you are in danger, please call 911.

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) TYY: 1-800-787-3224 Text “START” to 88788	National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 711 (TTY) Text: 233733
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Text HOPE to 64673	National Runaway Safeline 1-800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929) (call or text)
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 Text LOVEIS to 22522	National Center for Victims of Crime 1-855-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846) (call or text)

You may also contact Domestic Abuse Intervention Services of Dane County at (608) 251-4445 or text (608) 420-4638.

Visit HUD's VAWA Website for more information.

If you have any questions for the CDA regarding VAWA, please contact Lisa Daniels at (608) 267-8709.

Filing VAWA Complaints

If you believe your VAWA rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO). Please visit HUD's VAWA Website for more information.

Last Updated: 08/10/2025

Violence Against Women Act

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