Within Clery reporting, what does a 'VAWA offense' pertain to?

The term 'VAWA offense' refers to crimes associated with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which specifically addresses issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This federal legislation aims to improve the criminal justice response to these offenses and enhance services for victims. Within Clery Act reporting, recognizing 'VAWA offenses' is crucial as it helps institutions provide accurate crime statistics that reflect these serious issues impacting campus safety. Accurate reporting also ensures that victims are aware of the resources available to them based on the defined categories of violence in VAWA.