Question

What was the result in the Christy Brzonkala v. Antonio J. Morrison et al. case referenced in the textbook, in which the defendants alleged the unconstitutionality of civil remedies available under the federal Violence against Women Act?

Answer 1

Answer:

It was held by the Court that parts of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 were unconstitutional because they exceeded the powers granted to Congress under the Commerce Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Explanation:

In 1994, Christy Brzonkala alleged that she was raped by Antonio Morrison and James Crawford, in which she filed a complaint under Virginia Tech's Sexual Assault Policy. While Morrison was later found guilty with immediate suspension of two semesters, and Crawford was not punished. Brzonkala later filed another complaint against Morrison, Crawford and Virginia Tech in Federal district court, alleging that, Morrison's and Crawford's attack violated 42 USC section 13981, part of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA), which provides a federal civil remedy for the victims of gender-motivated violence.

However, Morrison and Crawford, moved to dismiss Brzonkala's suit on the ground that section 13981's civil remedy was unconstitutional