The local law enforcement grants for enforcement of cybercrimes program (cybercrimes enforcement program) supports efforts by states, indian tribes, and units of local government to prevent,…

The Iowa State Department of Justice was awarded a $500,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women under the Local Law Enforcement Grants for Enforcement of Cybercrimes Program (CFDA 16.060). The 36-month grant, effective October 1, 2024, will support the state's efforts to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals, such as harassment, stalking, extortion, and unauthorized distribution of intimate images. Key activities include disseminating cybercrime prevention and response education to law enforcement, legal personnel, schools, and the public, as well as creating a statewide cybercrime reporting database. The department will partner with Iowa Safe Schools and Monsoon Asian and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity to deliver victim services as part of this comprehensive initiative.

The local law enforcement grants for enforcement of cybercrimes program (cybercrimes enforcement program) supports efforts by states, indian tribes, and units of local government to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals. Cybercrimes against individuals are defined as criminal offenses that involve the use of a computer to harass, threaten, stalk, extort, coerce, cause fear to, or intimidate an individual, or without consent distribute intimate images of an adult, except that use of a computer need not be an element of the offense. (see 34 U.S.C. 30107(a)(2)). The term computer includes a computer network and an interactive electronic device. Cybercrimes against individuals do not include the use of a computer to cause harm to a commercial entity, government agency or nonnatural person. With this initial cybercrime enforcement grant award, the iowa state department of justice (iowa state) will implement purpose areas 1 and 2 to disseminate cybercrime prevention and response education to law enforcement, legal personnel, schools, and the public throughout the state of iowa. This project will be supported by the creation of a statewide cybercrime reporting database. MOU partners for this project include iowa safe schools and monsoon asian and pacific islanders in solidarity, who will serve as the victim service providers. Iowa state, in coordination with its partners, aims to: 1) increase cyber knowledge amongst law enforcement and legal personnel, especially regarding the intersection with GBV; 2) promote and enhance cybercrime investigation and prosecution; 3) developa cyber education program for the general public, including both minors and older iowans; and 4) involve persons with lived experience throughout the development and realization of the projects goals. This project will also address the OVW priority area to advance equity by partnering with monsoon asian and pacific islanders in solidarity, an organization that historically serves marginalized asian and pacific islander populations. The timing for performance of this award is 36 months.