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…

This $500,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (CFDA 16.590 - Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program) supports the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, in partnership with Coordinadora Paz Para Las Mujeres (CPM), in enhancing investigations and prosecutions of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases throughout Puerto Rico. Key activities include: 1) funding two prosecutors to investigate and prosecute complex cases focused on underserved populations; 2) providing sexual assault training for prosecutors; 3) appointing prosecutors to liaise with the Institute of Forensic Sciences to reduce case processing time; and 4) supporting prosecutor participation in multidisciplinary teams to enhance collaboration with victim service providers. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 through 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 puerto rico department of justice, in partnership with coordinadora PAZ para LAS mujeres (CPM), to be implemented throughout puerto rico, addresses EIP purpose areas: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 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 two prosecutors to both investigate and prosecute complex cases, focusing on underserved populations; 2) sexual assault training for prosecutors; 3) the appointment of prosecutors to liaise with the institute of forensic sciences in sexual assault investigations to reduce case processing time; and 4) support for prosecutors participation in the multidisciplinary team to enhance collaboration with victim service providers.