The improving criminal justice responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking grant program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. §§ 10461-10465 and implemented through regulations…

This $1,000,000 Project Grant from the Department of Justice Offices Boards and Divisions Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) under the Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program (CFDA 16.590) will support improving criminal justice responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Richmond, Virginia from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025.

The Department of Criminal Justice Services Virginia will use the funding to implement victim safety and offender accountability activities, participate in mandated OVW training and technical assistance, and work toward sustainability of project activities. $500,000 will support the Virginia Sexual And Domestic Violence Action Alliance to strengthen sexual assault response through trauma-informed training and build advocacy capacity. The Virginia Poverty Law Center and Virginia Department Of Law Public Safety Division will each receive $150,000 to strengthen legal advocacy services and support lethal assessment programs respectively. The remaining $200,000 was awarded to the Virginia Network For Victims And Witnesses Of Crime, Inc. Virginia Victim Assistance Network to develop training and resources to assist over 130 advocates annually.

The improving criminal justice responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking grant program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. §§ 10461-10465 and implemented through regulations at 28 C.F.R. Part 90, subpart D. The program fosters victim safety and offender accountability in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by encouraging state, local, and tribal governments and courts to work collaboratively with community partners to identify problems and share ideas that will result in effectively responding to these crimes. An integral component of this program is the development, revitalization, or enhancement of a coordinated community response that brings together criminal justice agencies, victim services providers, and community-based organizations that respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The grantee, in collaboration with its project partners, will use this continuation award to continue improving the jurisdiction's criminal justice system response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Specifically, the project will: 1) implement activities focused on victim safety and offender accountability; 2) participate in mandated OVW training and technical assistance; and 3) work toward sustainability of project activities.