Obama signs Violence Against Women Act

Expanded law provides support for groups serving violence victims

Author: By CNN Staff
Published On: Mar 07 2013 01:58:04 PM CST   Updated On: Mar 07 2013 02:04:00 PM CST
Obama signs executive actions on gun violence
(CNN) -

Saying it was a "day of the advocates, a day of the survivors," President Obama signed an expanded Violence Against Women Act on Thursday in Washington.

"This is your victory," Obama said. "And this victory shows that when the American people make their voices heard, Washington listens."

Originally passed in 1994 and reauthorized since, the act provides support for organizations that serve domestic violence victims.

Criminal prosecutions of abusers are generally the responsibility of local authorities, but the act stiffened sentences for stalking under federal law.

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