Massive $690 Million DOJ Initiative Unveiled with Crucial Support Focus

At a Glance

The DOJ announced $690 million in grants for domestic violence survivors.
The funding will enhance access to counseling, housing, legal assistance, and crisis intervention services.
This initiative coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
New grant programs focus on trauma-informed training and cybercrime against individuals.
The effort aims to improve safety and justice for survivors and hold offenders accountable.

DOJ Announces Substantial Funding Initiative

The Department of Justice has unveiled plans to allocate $690 million in funding to support survivors of domestic violence. These grants will be distributed through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to enhance numerous services and programs. This substantial financial commitment underscores the DOJ’s dedication to combating domestic violence and aiding survivors in rebuilding their lives.

The announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Enacted in 1994, VAWA was the first comprehensive federal law addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. It has been reauthorized and expanded several times over the years, most recently in 2022.

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Key Areas of Focus for the Funding

The $690 million funding will support a variety of initiatives. Increased access to counseling and support services ranks high on the list of priorities. Safe and secure housing solutions for survivors and their families are also a central focus. Legal assistance to help victims navigate the court system and responsive crisis intervention services form part of the broad spectrum of aid that this funding will bolster.

“Thirty years ago, VAWA transformed our national response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today, officers, prosecutors, judges, families, and society at large understand what should have always been clear: these crimes cannot be cast aside as somehow distinct or private. Instead, we recognize that they are among the most serious crimes that our society faces and that we must continue to improve access to justice, safety, and services for survivors.”

New and Existing Grant Programs

Existing grant programs such as the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program, the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program, and Transitional Housing Assistance Grants will receive a portion of the funding. Additionally, new grant programs launched in Fiscal Year 2024, including a Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim-Centered Training for Law Enforcement and a National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals, reflect the evolving landscape of gender-based violence and the need for specialized responses.

The end goal for this funding is to enhance offender accountability and improve access to justice, safety, and services for survivors. This effort is part of a broader strategy that includes supporting restorative practice programs and addressing cybercrimes such as cyberstalking and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

Preventing intimate partner violence is possible and could avoid substantial costs. An economic evaluation estimated the U.S. lifetime per-victim cost and economic burden of intimate partner violence (IPV). The total population economic burden was nearly $3.6 trillion over victims’ lifetimes, with $2.1 trillion in medical costs, $1.3 trillion in lost productivity, and significant amounts in other costs. Government sources pay an estimated $1.3 trillion of this burden.

Impact on Survivors and Society

Survivors of domestic violence like Aylaliyah Birru, who moved to the United States for a relationship that turned abusive, understand the importance of resources and support. Birru was convicted of felony assault after a threatening argument and faced 18 months of detention due to her immigrant status. With help from nonprofit organizations, Birru has become an advocate for other survivors and immigrants.

She calls for a reformed criminal justice system that treats survivors with dignity and considers evidence of abuse in legal decisions. Birru emphasizes the need for public sympathy, solidarity, and understanding of trauma by all involved in the justice system.