FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         VAW
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1996                               (202) 514-2008
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                                
 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF $13O MILLION
               IN VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN GRANTS 

     The Justice Department today announced the availability of
$130 million in grant funding for the states to assist police,
prosecutors, and victim service providers in combating domestic
violence and sexual assault.  The STOP Violence Against Women
formula grants were authorized by the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994 (the Crime Bill).  STOP stands for
services, training, officers and prosecutors.    
     The grants will be used by the states to train law enforcement
officers, expand law enforcement and prosecution agencies, develop
more effective strategies and programs to prevent violent crimes
against women, and apply advanced technology to improving data
collection and tracking systems.  By law, at least a quarter of the
funds must be dedicated to enhance direct services for crime
victims.
     "We view these grants as a major step in advancing the promise
of the Violence Against Women Act," said Attorney General Janet
Reno.  To receive these funds, states must submit an implementation
plan, indicating how they will coordinate efforts among police,
prosecutors and service providers.  Priorities for this year's
grants include:  judicial education and court related programs;
strengthening intra and interstate enforcement of protection
orders; and addressing sexual assault, stalking and underserved
populations.  The grants will be distributed by the Violence
Against Women Grants Office in the Office of Justice Programs.
     Bonnie J. Campbell, Director of the Violence Against Women
Office, indicated that states are being encouraged to enhance the
coordination of anti-violence efforts among law enforcement
agencies and victim service agencies.  "It is vitally important
that the collaborative relationships envisioned by the Violence
Against Women Act continue to develop and we look forward to
working with the states as they put this funding to work," Campbell
said.
     Over the next four years, a total of $800 million in federal
funds is scheduled to assist states as they restructure their law
enforcement response to address violent crimes against women.  Last
year, $26 million was available for the programs, with each state
receiving $426,000.  This year, and in future years, funds will be
allocated according to state populations, with each state
guaranteed a base amount of $500,000.  Four percent of each year's
appropriation will be available to Indian tribal governments
through a discretionary grant program.
     A detailed list of the states receiving STOP grants is
attached.

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