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 County of Washtenaw, Michigan, in partnership with the Safehouse Center, has been awarded a $497,630 Project Grant 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 three-year grant, effective from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027, aims to enhance the investigation and prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases within the county. Key activities include funding a prosecutor to vertically prosecute these cases and providing law enforcement training on trauma-informed, victim-centered, and offender-focused strategies. The grant aligns with OVW's priorities of improving access to justice and providing services to sexual assault survivors.

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 county of washtenaw, michigan, in partnership with the safehouse center, to be implemented in the county of washtenaw, addresses EIP purpose areas: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Additionally, this project addresses OVW priority area 1: access to justice and priority area 2: services to sexual assault survivors. Specific activities include: 1) support for a prosecutor to vertically prosecute domestic violence and sexual assault cases within the special victims unit; and 2) law enforcement training on the implementation of trauma-informed, victim-centered, and offender-focused strategies.