Washington, DC – Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation announced today that the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women has released $965,065 in recovery act funds under the STOP (Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. The Recovery Act STOP funds will support efforts to hire and retain criminal justice and victim services personnel that respond to violent crimes against women, as well as promote economic growth while improving responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
“This program has helped make strides in preventing domestic violence by increasing coordination between local shelters, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system. These federal funds will enable the Rhode Island Justice Commission to prevent domestic violence, assist victims, and go after offenders,” said Senator Jack Reed.
“This is badly-needed support for Rhode Island law enforcement officials struggling to find the resources to protect our communities during tough times,” said Whitehouse, a former U.S. Attorney and Attorney General for Rhode Island. “Violence targeting women harms families and our economy, and this funding will help crack down on these crimes.”
“These federal funds will ensure that services and resources are available for victims of violent crime,” said Kennedy, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. “By promoting coordination among law enforcement and the criminal justice system, the STOP program enhances prevention and safety methods, and makes sure offenders are held accountable.”
“This critical funding will keep families safe as they recover from a traumatic event,” said Langevin. “These grants will also ensure that the trained personnel is available when needed to respond to families in crisis.”
It is estimated that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. U.S. government statistics reveal one in six women will experience an attempted or completed rape at some time in her life.
The STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (STOP Program) was initially authorized under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) and reauthorized and amended by the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000) and by the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005). The STOP Program promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to enhancing advocacy and improving the criminal justice system’s response to violent crimes against women. It encourages the development and improvement of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes against women and the development and improvement of advocacy and services in cases involving violent crimes against women.
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