Crowley Slams Turner on Violence Against Women Act

City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, D-Middle Village, lashed out at Republican Bob Turner of Forest Hills Thursday, slamming him for voting for a “watered-down” version of the Violence Against Women Act.

The bill, which was up for renewal this year, originally included new protections for same-sex couples in abusive relationships and a confidentiality clause that protected women who called the police in cases of domestic violence.

The version that passed the house on Wednesday had those provisions stripped out.

Crowley, a constituent of Turner’s hoping to replace him in the new Sixth Congressional District, sent him a letter Thursday.

“Yesterday, you and your Republican colleagues in the House of Representative rolled back protections for women who are victims of domestic abuse, and your decision puts the safety of half of your constituents—including myself—at risk,” Crowley wrote. "Your vote for this legislation does not represent the views of your constituents. We need to do everything possible to protect women and ensure public safety. Your vote moves us in the wrong direction."

Turner’s office has not yet responded to a request for comment on the issue.