The grants to improve the 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…

The grants to improve the 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. Grants to improve the criminal justice response (ICJR) project by city of lynchburg, virginia, in partnership with ywca of central virginia and lynchburg police department, implemented in the city of lynchburg, virginia, addresses ICJR purpose area(S): 3 and 22. Additionally, this project addresses OVW priority area priority area 2: access to justice. Specific activities include: 1) the utilization of evidence-based risk assessment instruments by their domestic violence high risk team (DVHRT) to inform appropriate responses; 2) development of protocols that will quickly connect high-risk victims with services; 3) provision of critical information to prosecutors, judges, and others making pretrial decisions; 4) case monitoring throughout the criminal justice system; and 5) provision of coordinated community response to implement strategies for disrupting the escalation of violence.