The Cast of Younger Wants You to Stand Up for the Violence Against Women Act
The protection of survivors of gender-based violence is under threat. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which provides aid for those who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and more, has yet to be reauthorized by Congress—which could be dangerous for survivors everywhere. A bit of background: The VAWA was enacted in 1994, with the provision that it be renewed by Congress every few years. This April the House of Representatives approved H.R.1585 (a bill that would reauthorize the act for five more years). But the bill still has to pass in the Republican-controlled Senate, and many are concerned about the bill's fate there.
Among those worried about the future of the VAWA is the cast of TV Land's hit series Younger. The show's stars—Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, Nico Tortorella, Peter Hermann, Molly Bernard, and Charles Michael Davis—have teamed up with the United State of Women to issue a public service announcement in support of the bill.
"Sutton, Hilary, Miriam, Debi, Molly, Nico, Charles, and I are honored to partner with the United State of Women and add our voices to the urgent call for the renewal of VAWA," Peter Hermann tells Glamour. "The issues that VAWA addresses—domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking—affect every community in America regardless of race, ethnicity, economic status, or gender identity. To withhold support, or to politicize what is really an issue of human rights, is reprehensible and primitive. We cannot urge you strongly enough to make your voices heard with ours."
In the PSA the cast highlights that women, transgender, and nonbinary people are disproportionately affected by violence. The stars also urge fans to learn more and take action to keep the VAWA in place.
While Younger chronicles the lives and careers of those in the publishing industry and isn't an expressly political show, it's never shied from getting real about the issues facing women. The series has covered the Me Too movement, spotlighted the "glass cliff" for female CEOs, and pulled back the curtain on how intensely women are discriminated against for their age. As Erika Soto Lamb, vice president of social impact strategy for Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and TV Land, put it, "We are proud to partner with The United State of Women to help our audience take action to support the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act—and we have no doubt that Liza, Kelsey, Maggie, Diana, Josh, Charles, Lauren, and Zane would do the same."
One of the most effective ways you can help fight for the VAWA is by calling your senator and urging them to vote yes on reauthorizing the bill. You can find contact information for your senator, here.
Samantha Leach is an assistant editor at Glamour. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @_sleach.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
