News and Press Releases

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday - May 26, 2004

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AWARDS $2.9 MILLION
FOR NORTH CAROLINA TO PROSECUTE AND RESPOND TO
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

WASHINGTON, D. C. - On May 20, 2004, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced that the Department of Justice is awarding $2,974,146 to North Carolina to fund programs to prevent and respond to violence against women. The funding is part of this year's STOP (Services, Training, Officers and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program. This program is funded under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and administered by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Nationwide, more than $117 million is being awarded to states and U. S. territories.

"The STOP Program protects victims and holds criminals accountable for their actions," said Attorney General Ashcroft. "No one should have to endure the pain of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault, but these funds will help women who have been victims of violence to regain their dignity, their confidence, and their lives."

Through the STOP Program, states and communities are encouraged to restructure and strengthen the criminal justice system response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, using the expertise of all participants working in the system, including law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, victim advocates, and community leaders.

"Whether they are being used to develop a special police unit to respond to domestic violence cases, train sexual assault forensic examiners, or enhance victim services for individuals who are older or disabled, STOP funds are an important resource to help end violence against women," said OVW Director Diane M. Stuart.

The STOP grants are awarded to designated state agencies, which must award 25 percent of the funds they receive to law enforcement, 25 percent to prosecution, 30 percent to victim services, 5 percent to courts, and 15 percent at the state's discretion for other STOP Program purposes.

To discuss the STOP grant in this state, see the listing of state contacts at www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2004/may/04 _opa_346.htm. For more information about the Office on Violence Against Women, visit OVW's website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo.

 

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney's web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.

Office on Violence Against Women
202/514-2008
202/514-1888 (TDD)