The enhancing investigations and prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (EIP) encourages law enforcement agencies and/or prosecutors offices to expand and…

The City of New Port Richey, Florida received a $216,498 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) under the Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program (CFDA 16.590). This grant aims to enhance the city's capacity to investigate and prosecute domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, while supporting victim safety and offender accountability. Key activities include: 1) procuring a UV camera to better photograph injuries; 2) improving access for people with limited English proficiency; 3) supporting follow-up investigations for all relevant cases; 4) partially funding a victim advocate position; and 5) revising the police department's policies and procedures to improve collaboration with local domestic violence and sexual assault victim service providers. The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The enhancing investigations and prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (EIP) encourages law enforcement agencies and/or prosecutors offices to expand and improve their capacity to effectively investigate and/or prosecute domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and in so doing, support victim safety and autonomy, hold offenders accountable, and promote agency trust within the surrounding community. Enhancing investigations and prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (EIP) project by the city of new port richey, florida, in partnership with the salvation army of pasco county, to be implemented in the city of new port richey addresses EIP purpose areas: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Additionally, this project addresses OVW priority area 1: access to justice. Specific activities include: 1) procurement of a UV camera to better photograph injuries; 2) improving access for people with limited english proficiency, 3) supporting follow-up investigation for all domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking cases; 4) partial support for a victim advocate position; and 5) revision of the police departments policies and procedures regarding collaboration with the local domestic violence and sexual assault victim service providers.