As part of the monthlong observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, United States Attorneys Will Thompson and William Ihlenfeld are proud to announce that the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded $340,618 to West Virginia to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
OVW awarded the $340,618 under the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program for the 2023 fiscal year to enhance the coordination between courts, child protective services agencies, advocates, law enforcement, and community programs to encourage trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to domestic violence and sexual assault.
The awards consist of $108,034 for the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WVFRIS) and $232,584 for the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WVCADV).
“For decades, both the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Foundation for Rape Information and Services have performed a critical role in providing education, awareness and expertise to their licensed programs, which serve all 55 West Virginia counties,” U.S. Attorney Thompson said. “I am pleased to announce that West Virginia has been awarded this funding from the Office on Violence Against Women.”
“Domestic violence offenders are some of the most dangerous individuals in our communities and thus a comprehensive, well-funded response is necessary,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. “This funding will help us to combat the problem and support survivors throughout West Virginia.”
The role by WVFRIS and WVCADV also extends to statewide working groups charged with systemically addressing sexual and domestic violence in West Virginia. They work alongside law enforcement officers, prosecutors, courts, hospitals, colleges and universities, survivors and other advocates to create comprehensive strategies and prevention plans to support victims in their safety and healing.
“Every day, a vast network of dedicated individuals helps domestic violence survivors access multiple pathways to safety, justice, and healing,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “OVW understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence. These funds will enable communities to increase capacity and strengthen a coordinated community approach to prevent and address violence in more comprehensive ways tailored to their communities. Together, with our grantees, we are building a future where individuals and families can live and thrive without the threat of intimate partner violence.”
Data from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate about 41 percent of women and 26 percent of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Domestic violence rates are even higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black individuals, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
The West Virginia grants are among 496 announced nationwide this week that will reach Tribal nations, historically marginalized communities, underserved communities, college and university campuses, rural towns, culturally specific communities, and more. The funding prioritizes increasing access to justice, improving survivor safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering training and technical support to professionals addressing these crimes.
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