LAS VEGAS -- President Barack Obama signed an expanded Violence Against Women Act Thursday morning, calling it a victory for both advocates and survivors across the country.
In Nevada, where sexual and domestic violence is an ever-present problem, advocates said the legislation came at the right time.
This bill extends protection to victims of violence who are of Native American descent, gay, lesbian and those who are in the country illegally.
For illegal immigrants, many have been afraid to come forward because of their legal status.
Advocates said they hope the legislation will give them the voice and the justice they deserve.
Two months ago, Tania Lopez's 3-year-old daughter was taken by Eduardo Hernandez, an ex-boyfriend who she said was abusive.
"I miss her," Lopez said as she cried. "She's my life."
Lopez said she has filed a police report and credited a domestic violence advocate for helping her.
Domestic violence advocate Rebecca Ferreira, the woman assisting Lopez, said the expanded Violence Against Women Act has given new voice to women such as Lopez.
"The victim will (now) co-operate with prosecutors and law enforcement," she said.
That means being able to put perpetrators of violent crimes, from stalking to domestic violence, behind bars.
According to the Violence Policy Center, there have been nearly 500 cases of domestic violence homicide in Nevada since 1996.
"Domestic violence homicide is the worst of the worst in Nevada," Ferreira said.
The latest case of domestic violence happened just this week in Henderson, Nev., when an ex-husband killed his ex-wife during a fight while one of her two children were at home.
"(The act) is going to help more than just the victim," Ferreira said. "It's going to help the prosecution."
The bill will make it easier to prosecute crimes against women in federal court and many illegal immigrants who assists authorities will be protected from prosecution and deportation.
"We feel it's a victory for all domestic violence victims," Ferreira said.
During the signing ceremony, Obama said the original law "changed our culture." Obama praised Vice President Joe Biden, who wrote the bill in 1994, for making violence prevention one of his top priorities.
