The demonstration program on trauma-informed, victim-centered training for law enforcement on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (abby honold program), authorized by 34…

The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women awarded $500,000 to the Parish of East Baton Rouge on May 1, 2026, under the Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim Centered Training for Law Enforcement (CFDA 16.058, Abby Honold Program).

The recipient will train covered law enforcement individuals to conduct trauma-informed, victim-centered investigations of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, applying evidence-based approaches and knowledge of crime victims' rights throughout investigations. The work includes implementing trauma-informed techniques designed to prevent re-traumatization of victims and increase communication between victims, law enforcement, and community stakeholders in coordinated responses.

Performance occurs in Baton Rouge, Louisiana through April 30, 2029. The program's statutory purpose extends to evaluating the effectiveness of the training and improving law enforcement response to domestic and sexual violence and stalking crimes from initial victim report through investigation completion.

The demonstration program on trauma-informed, victim-centered training for law enforcement on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking (abby honold program), authorized by 34 U.S.c 12513, supports efforts to improve law enforcements response to allegations of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking from the time of a victims initial report throughout the entire investigation, and to promote the efforts of law enforcement in improving the response to these crimes. The abby honold program awards grants to law enforcement agencies to train officers to conduct trauma-informed and victim-centered investigations, with the goal of incorporating trauma-informed techniques designed to prevent RE-traumatization of the victim and to increase communication between victims and law enforcement as well as stakeholders in a coordinated community response. This programs purpose is also to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. The recipient will: 1) train covered individuals to use evidence-based, trauma-informed, and victim-centered approaches and apply knowledge of crime victims rights throughout an investigation; and 2) work to improve the response of covered individuals to domestic and sexual violence and stalking.