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 family support center of south sound, in partnership with thurston county, thurston county sheriffs office, thurston county prosecuting attorneys office, and thurston county clerks office, implemented in thurston county, washington, the neighboring counties of lewis, mason, and pierce as well as the neighboring tribal nations of squaxin, nisqually, and cowlitz tribes, addresses ICJR purpose area 10. Additionally, this project addresses OVW priority area 1: advance racial equity and/or tribal sovereignty. Specific activities include: 1) domestic violence advocacy services 2) support for a dedicated detective to handle DV cases. 4) law enforcement training to increase knowledge of domestic violence, strangulation, and expert witness testimony.