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Rosie Hidalgo Sworn In as Director for the Office on Violence Against Women
“I am proud to swear in Rosie Hidalgo as the first Senate-confirmed Director of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women in 11 years. This is a historic affirmation of the Department's commitment to reducing gender-based violence, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable. Rosie has both the experience and the dedication to lead the Office’s essential work of protecting women, girls, and all those affected by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. I am confident that her return to the Department will further that crucial mission.”
-Attorney General Merrick B. Garland
“I am honored to have this opportunity to join colleagues at the Office on Violence Against Women and the Department of Justice to help advance our nation’s commitment to preventing and addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other forms of gender-based violence. The renewal and strengthening of the Violence Against Women Act last year, along with increases in VAWA funding, enable us to enhance access to safety, justice, and holistic services for survivors, and support efforts to strengthen and broaden the coordinated community response.”
-OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo
“Rosie arrives well prepared for this work. She has spent over 25 years as a champion for reducing gender-based violence and supporting survivors. Her experience includes serving as a public interest attorney, a national policy advocate, and on the White House Gender Policy Council. And like many of us in DOJ leadership, this is not her first rodeo. She previously served in the Justice Department as Deputy Director of Policy in OVW. Rosie’s experience comes from a deep dedication to affirming the dignity of survivors and protecting women and girls. Thank you, Rosie, for coming back and for rejoining the extraordinary professionals who make up the staff at OVW.”
-Attorney General Merrick B. Garland
Pictured: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland ceremonially swears in Rosie Hidalgo as the Director for the Office on Violence Against Women. Rosie’s daughter holds the bible that Mrs. Hidalgo swears on.
“It’s amazing thinking that next year is the 30th anniversary of VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) in 1994...we can really acknowledge so much progress that has been made, and yet I think we all know that there’s still have so much further to go. We continue to refocus, to recommit ourselves to advancing these critical goals of our nation, to prevent and address all forms of gender-based violence.”
-OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo
On Tuesday July 18, 2023 the Justice Department announced that Rosie Hidalgo was sworn in as the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). As director, she will spearhead the Department’s principal efforts in confronting gender-based crimes. OVW provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and oversees more than $700 million annually for grant programs authorized under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Updated January 20, 2025
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