NCJ Number
221036
Date Published
November 2007
Length
145 pages
Annotation
This Biennial Report to the U.S. Congress describes data submitted by grantees receiving grants under the discretionary grant programs and data collected during site visits to several States and territories on the effectiveness of grant programs under the Violence Against Women Act covering the period from 2003 to 2005.
Abstract
Programs funded under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) have been successful in responding to violence against women, demonstrating to law enforcement, prosecutors, probation officers, courts, victim advocates, and other organizations the specific practices, protocols, and tools they need. The VAWA grant programs promote innovative, multidisciplinary coordinated community responses (CCRs) to sexual assault and domestic violence addressing the many needs and filling the gaps identified by experts. VAWA programs support police, judges, advocates, and victim service providers, make targeted improvements to specific responses, and introduce new initiatives. VAWA reforms are working. VAWA funded grantees experienced increased arrest and prosecution of perpetrators both through new programs and extensive training. This 2006 Biennial Report covers the period from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2005 and describes data submitted by grantees receiving grants under the discretionary grant programs and data collected by the Muskie School during site visits to 11 States and territories. VAWA grant programs are designed to provide the means to reach, protect, and support victims of all cultures and backgrounds, hold perpetrators accountable, and change attitudes that perpetuate violence against women. These discretionary grant programs include: (1) grants to encourage arrest policies and enforcement of protection orders; (2) rural domestic violence and child victimization enforcement grants; (3) Legal Assistance for Victims grant program (LAV-Program); (4) grants to reduce violent crimes against women on campus; (5) STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Indian Women Discretionary Grants Program; (6) education and technical assistance grants; (7) training grants to stop abuse and sexual assault against older individuals or individuals with disabilities; (8) grants to tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions; (9) grants to State sexual assault and domestic violence coalitions program; (10) Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Assistance Grants Program; and (11) Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program. Figures, tables and references