The Justice Department joins survivors, victim service providers, advocates, and communities nationwide in recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). It is a time to center the experiences and leadership of survivors; honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence; express gratitude to the countless individuals dedicated to preventing and addressing domestic violence and supporting survivors; and raise awareness on the issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Data from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate that about 41% of women and 26% of men experience contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and report an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Domestic violence rates are even higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black individuals, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
Between Sept. 19th and 28th, and through authorization under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded an additional 496 grants totaling $251,107,460 to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The grants will reach communities across the United States, including Tribal nations, historically marginalized communities, underserved communities, college and university campuses, rural towns, and more. The funding prioritizes increasing access to justice, bolstering survivor safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering training and technical support to professionals addressing these crimes.
“Domestic violence is a pervasive and devastating crime that demands urgency and coordinated action at all levels of law enforcement,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Justice Department renews its commitment to building the capacity of our state, Tribal, and local partners to investigate and prosecute these crimes, pursue justice on behalf of survivors, and provide them with the support they need.”
“One of the central tenets of the Justice Department’s comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime is that local communities know best what works in their neighborhoods,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “That is why we are dedicated to supporting communities by providing the tools they need to investigate and prosecute all forms of violence, including domestic violence. These grants will help survivors seek justice and hold offenders accountable.”
“The most effective response to domestic violence is one led by survivors and their advocates,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today will help survivors access the resources and support they need, including from organizations familiar with their culture, language, and background, and will further the Justice Department’s goal of a national response to domestic violence that prioritizes survivors.”
“Every day, a vast network of dedicated individuals helps domestic violence survivors access multiple pathways to safety, justice, and healing,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “OVW understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence. These funds will enable communities to increase capacity and strengthen a coordinated community approach to prevent and address violence in more comprehensive ways tailored to their communities. Together, with our grantees, we are building a future where individuals and families can live and thrive without the threat of intimate partner violence.”
Awards include:
- State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program: 84 grants totaling $18,052,754 will enhance the coordination between courts, child protective services agencies, advocates, law enforcement, and community programs to encourage trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program: 37 grants totaling $21,538,000 will promote coordinated community responses among law enforcement agencies, courts, victim service providers, and other system partners.
- Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program (Culturally Specific Program): 53 awards totaling $25,024,327 will help community-based organizations develop culturally relevant programs specific to American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Tribal communities to support survivors.
- Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (SAS Culturally Specific Program): 18 awards totaling $6,915,000 will support communities in establishing or expanding culturally appropriate services that address the needs of sexual assault survivors from culturally specific communities.
- Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Assistance Program (Rural Program): 51 awards totaling $36,363,957 will support programs by local government, community-based organizations, and medical providers in rural areas to improve the safety of survivors.
- Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program (Transitional Housing Program): 81 awards totaling $43,104,359 will support programs that provide six to 24 months of transitional housing or housing assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
- Grants to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Sex Trafficking Against Children and Youth Program (Consolidated Youth Program): 20 grants totaling $9,561,203 will support community-based efforts to develop or expand prevention, intervention, treatment, and response programs for children and youth impacted by these crimes.
- Grants to Engage Men and Boys as Allies in the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls Program (Engaging Men and Boys Program): 10 grants totaling $3,395,000 will support educational programming and community-based organizations that encourage men and boys to work with allies with women and girls to prevent crimes.
- Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program (Campus Program): 40 grants totaling $15,634,184 will support colleges and universities to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies for such crimes and to develop prevention education and awareness programs. In addition, OVW awarded 12 grants totaling $5,994,296 under the new Strengthening Culturally Specific Campus’ Approaches to Address Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Initiative for grants supporting new programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
- Training and Technical Assistance Initiative: 58 grants totaling $40,605,000 will support training and technical assistance programs to enhance the efforts of grant recipients to implement projects supported by OVW funds successfully. In addition, OVW awarded 25 grants totaling $21,778,800 under the Emerging Issues and Training and Technical Assistance Initiative to organizations exploring new issues in technical assistance projects that address the needs of OVW grantees.
- Research and Evaluation Initiative: Seven grants totaling $3,140,580 will support researcher-practitioner partnerships and a broad range of research and evaluation methods to generate more knowledge about effective strategies to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and hold offenders accountable.
Organizations interested in applying for these and other grants are encouraged to visit the OVW website for more details and application guidelines.