Bonnie J. Campbell

According to Bonnie J. Campbell in the following viewpoint, the Violence Against Women Act allows the federal government, rather than just the states, to prosecute some domestic violence cases, thus sending a clear message that violence against women is a serious crime. However, Campbell asserts, even the toughest laws will not stop domestic violence until all Americans change their attitudes about intimate abuse. Campbell, the former attorney general of Iowa, is the director of the Violence Against Women Office, which was established in 1995 to provide assistance to state and local agencies to reduce and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why was Christopher Bailey prosecuted under federal law instead of state law, according to Campbell"
2. Why are domestic violence cases difficult to prosecute...