The New and Improved VAWA: A Look into State Law and Local Nuisance Ordinances after the 2022 Reauthorization

Authors

Alexis Stevens, J.D., Duncan School of Law, Lincoln Memorial University

First & Last Page

67-85

Abstract

The Violence Against Women Act has protected victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual harassment for over 30 years now. The Act has been reauthorized four times, providing stronger protection for victims each time. The most recent reauthorization in 2022 includes protection for domestic violence victims against chronic nuisance ordinances. These ordinances allow municipalities to punish landlords and tenants if a tenant calls the police too many times to the property, including times in which a domestic violence victim, seeking help, calls the police on their perpetrator. Many states have enacted statutes that align with the 2022 Reauthorization to protect these victims, but there are many states that have not.This Note discusses the developments of The Violence Against Women Act and the protections provided under the 2022 Reauthorization, explaining why state-level statutes should provide a complete exception for domestic abuse calls in their chronic nuisance ordinances.

Recommended Citation

Alexis Stevens, J.D., The New and Improved VAWA: A Look into State Law and Local Nuisance Ordinances after the 2022 Reauthorization, 12 Lincoln Mem’l U. L. Rev. (2025).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lmunet.edu/lmulrev/vol12/iss2/4