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ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT ANNOUNCES FULL FUNDING

WASHINGTON, DC Attorney General John Ashcroft today announced that under the president's budget for 2002, key Department of Justice programs to fight violence against women will receive full funding, a $102.52 million increase over 2001.

In a speech to the Academy of Criminal Justice Scientists and Criminal Justice Journalists, Ashcroft made the following remarks:

"No American should feel beyond the protection of the law. That is why we have an office dedicated to help stop violence against women. Violence Against Women grants help communities address violent crime against women by assisting with prosecution and victim assistance.

"Today, I am pleased to announce that in the President's upcoming budget, the Violence Against Women Office at the Department of Justice will receive the requested funding. This year's funding includes 102.5 million additional dollars compared to last year's budget.

"These funds will be used for existing VAWA programs and will also create new programs as authorized under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000."

Under VAWA, Congress has authorized more than $3 billion to support victim services and the work of police, prosecutors and the courts. The Department of Justice administers six grant programs helping local governments and community based agencies train personnel, establish specialized domestic violence and sexual assault units, provide victim services and prosecute offenders.

Appropriations for VAWA (including Victims of Child Abuse funding) in FY 2001 totaled $288,044,000. The Department's FY 2002 request of $390,565,000, which has been fully granted under the president's budget, represents a $102.52 million increase that will fund both existing and new VAWA programs.

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