I was just seven years old when the first Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed in 1994. So growing up, I only knew a government that took domestic violence and sexual assault seriously. I only knew states that recognized stalking as a crime. I only knew communities where victims of interpersonal violence could find shelter and other vital services.

The older generation was not so lucky. For them, VAWA was a monumental change. Luckily, it’s working. Reporting of domestic violence is up by 51 percent and related homicides are down by 34 percent for women and 57 percent for men.

Yet there’s one group that hasn’t seen a lot of change–young people. In a recent study of seventh graders, more than one in three reported experiencing emotional abuse from a dating partner in the last six months. The CDC consistently finds that one in ten high school students is hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend each year. During college, one in five young women will be the victim of sexual assault. And this violence has a lasting impact–lowering grades, causing lasting health problems, even increasing the risk of suicide. These rates of violence are shocking and unacceptable.

As the ambassador for Avon’s mark brand’s m.powerment campaign dedicated to breaking the cycle of dating abuse and partner violence, I get to meet amazing young women like the members of the National Youth Advisory Board for loveisrespect, the National Partnership to End Dating Abuse. They’re taking a leadership role in preventing abuse, speaking out online, in school and anywhere they’ll be heard.

When it comes to ending dating abuse and sexual assault, youth are doing their part. I am doing my part. Now it’s Congress’ turn. The Violence Against Women Act is up for reauthorization and we must pass a strong version now.

In 2000, for the first time, VAWA specifically included protections for victims of “dating violence.” In 2005, the Act created four new programs to address the persistent rates of abuse among young people. Now, we can improve upon these steps by sending the bipartisan Senate bill S.1925, sponsored by Senators Leahy and Crapo and 59 other senators, to the President. The Senate version streamlines the grant process, cutting overhead, getting more money out into the field and helping more women, more effectively. It better achieves the central goal of the Act, that EVERY victim, including young people from all walks of life, should have access to services and justice. And it allocates more money to prevention, so we can stop abuse before it starts.

Here’s what you can do: today, Wednesday, November 14, join a national movement and speak out to urge the members of the House of Representatives to work with the Senate to pass VAWA before this Congress ends and they go home for the holidays. Urge your Representative not to let VAWA die and miss this chance to help victims find shelter, help and justice. Learn more about how to join the movement.

I grew up with VAWA and it helped shape my belief that domestic and sexual violence are wrong and preventable. Now we have the opportunity to create another monumental change. We can start young, intervene early and make a lasting difference in the lives of young victims. We can do for victims of dating abuse what we’ve done for those who experience domestic violence and sexual assault. We can reduce their numbers and their suffering.

We must make these improvements to reach all victims of domestic and sexual violence. I urge you all to speak out to renew the real VAWA now.

–Ashley Greene, mark brand ambassador