The Justice Department announced today the allocation of over $690 million in grant funding administered by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). This funding aims to support services and justice responses for victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across all U.S. states, territories, and many Tribal nations.
The announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the first comprehensive federal law addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
“Thirty years ago, VAWA transformed our national response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today, officers, prosecutors, judges, families, and society at large understand what should have always been clear: these crimes cannot be cast aside as somehow distinct or private. Instead, we recognize that they are among the most serious crimes that our society faces and that we must continue to improve access to justice, safety, and services for survivors.”
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco remarked on her involvement in the original passage of VAWA thirty years ago. “Our country’s progress to prevent gender-based violence is not finished," she said. "But we have come a long way since 1994 thanks to the hard work of survivors, advocates, and members of law enforcement — including the women and men of the Justice Department — who work every day to hold perpetrators accountable and protect survivors."
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer highlighted recent advancements under VAWA. “Thanks to the changes in VAWA over the last 30 years," he said. "We've explored additional pathways to justice... I commend OVW’s efforts to implement VAWA 2022’s expanded resources."
VAWA was initially enacted in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. It has since been reauthorized multiple times—in 2000, 2005, 2013, and 2022—each time broadening its scope and expanding available resources.
“The power of VAWA is that it is centered on the lived realities and leadership of survivors,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “We remain committed to making progress toward ending domestic violence...and ensuring that all survivors have multiple pathways to safety.”
Since its creation in 1995 to implement VAWA provisions, OVW has distributed over $11 billion in funding authorized by VAWA. The office provides national leadership on issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault through its grant programs.
Today's announcement includes funding for several grant programs:
- STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program: Over $171 million will be distributed.
- Sexual Assault Services Formula Program: Over $52 million will be awarded.
- Transitional Housing Assistance Grants: Over $40 million will support transitional housing programs.
- Grants to Improve Criminal Justice Response (ICJR) Program: Over $24 million will assist communities.
- State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program: Over $19 million will support state coalitions.
- Indian Tribal Governments Program: Over $45 million will support Tribal governments.
Additionally funded new grant programs include:
- Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed Training for Law Enforcement (Abby Honold Program): Grants totaling $3 million.
- National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals: New funding totaling $2.8 million.
- Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program: Grants totaling $5.5 million.
- Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program: Grants totaling over $15 million.
- Healing and Response Teams Special Initiative: More than $2 million provided.