The grants to improve the criminal justice response program (icjr program)assistsstate, local, and tribal governments, and courts to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence,…

The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women awarded New Hope For Women, Inc. $500,000 on April 1, 2026, under the Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program (CFDA 16.590).

New Hope For Women, doing business as New Hope Midcoast, will deliver comprehensive victim services addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Rockland, Maine. The funded activities include advocacy, safety planning, and referrals for survivors; liaison services between victims and law enforcement; hospital and court accompaniment; community outreach and education on domestic violence; and training for law enforcement officers on handling domestic violence cases.

The award obligates $500,000 for the period April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2029. The Office on Violence Against Women supports this assistance to help state, local, and tribal governments and courts improve their criminal justice response to these crimes and promote victim safety and autonomy. New Hope Midcoast is a non-profit organization specializing in support services for domestic violence survivors in rural Maine.

The grants to improve the criminal justice response program (icjr program)assistsstate, local, and tribal governments, and courts to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as serious violations of criminal law, and to seek safety and autonomy for victims. The project will support the following activities: 1) comprehensive victim services including advocacy, safety planning, and referrals; 2) liaising between victims and law enforcement; 3) hospital and court accompaniment; 4) community outreach and education on domestic violence; and 5) training for law enforcement officers on handling domestic violence cases.