U.S. ATTORNEY WRIGLEY ANNOUNCES OVER A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR CRIME VICTIMS IN DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA

NORTH DAKOTA – U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley announced today that $699,920 in Department of Justice crime victim service improvement grants have been approved for North Dakota. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of over $144 million distributed to enhance each states response to victims of crime throughout the United States.

"The Department of Justice is steadfast in its commitment to protecting public safety and bringing justice to those who have been victimized," said Attorney General William P. Barr. "The investments we are making today will support service providers as they work to secure the legal rights of victims and put survivors of criminal acts on the road to recovery."

The awards made to organizations in the North Dakota will advance the use of technology, improve community preparedness and law enforcement training and provide emergency and transitional shelter to assist victims of crime. Programs will also support victims of child abuse and fund research projects related to perpetrators and victims of elder abuse. Approximately $64.3 million was awarded under Office for Victims of Crime grant programs; over $54.1 million was awarded under Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention programs; over $19.9 million was awarded under Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking grant programs; and nearly $5.7 million was awarded under two National Institute of Justice grant programs.

"The Department of Justice and our office partner with those who share our commitment to securing justice for victims," said United States Attorney Drew Wrigley, "and these grants help ensure progress toward one of our most sacred responsibilities."

"As lockdowns and lawlessness fuel crime in America’s homes and communities, more people are vulnerable to victimization and those who have been victimized face new hurdles," said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. "The Office of Justice Programs is committed to giving our victim service partners the tools they need to better serve their clients and protect victims’ rights."

The following organizations received funding:

• $399,920 to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians for the Adam Walsh Act program that gave over $16.7 million to 61 recipients to assist jurisdictions with developing and enhancing programs designed to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

• $270,000 to the North Dakota Office of Attorney General for the Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist program that gave over $8.6 million to 22 recipients to develop or enhance crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies to better support victims through the criminal justice process, and another $2 million to one organization to support training and technical assistance for the grantees.

More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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