violence against women act
Violence Against Women Act. A federal statute that established a federal civil-rights action for victims of gender-motivated violence. 42 USCA § 13981. • In 2000, the Supreme Court invalidated the statute, holding that neither the Commerce Clause nor the Enforcement Clause of the 14th Amendment authorized Congress to enact the civil-remedy provision of this Act. United States v. Morrison, 529 U.S. 598, 120 S.Ct. 1740 (2000). — Abbr. VAWA.