Justice Department Awards Federal Grants to Combat Domestic Violence in Northern District of Florida

Tallahassee, Pensacola, & Gainesville, Florida — The Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women has awarded more than $74 million in federal grants to support state, local, and Tribal governments in combatting domestic violence and sexual assault in FY2026. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, United States Attorney John P. Heekin of the Northern District of Florida highlighted federal grants recently awarded to key stakeholder groups operating within the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said: “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, during which we reaffirm our commitment to providing the safety, dignity, and justice that victims of domestic violence deserve. Through these critical investments of federal grant monies, we strengthen our partnership with coalitions operating in my district to provide victim support services as we work toward building a future free from domestic violence and sexual assault.”

The awards, paid through the Office on Violence Against Women Fiscal Year 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program, support the critical work of state and territory domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions.  Grant funds authorized under this program may be used for coordinating state and territory victim services activities, or collaborating and coordinating with federal, state, territory, and local entities engaged in violence against women activities.

OVW State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program funds were awarded to the following entities within the Northern District of Florida:

• Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, Inc., based in Tallahassee, Florida;
• Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Inc., based in Tallahassee, Florida

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is committed to prosecuting those who violate federal laws, collaborating with local law enforcement, and ensuring victims have access to the resources they need. By understanding the signs of abuse and connecting victims to resources, we can all play a role in creating safer communities. For more information on domestic violence or to access resources, please visit https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence.  

The Department of Justice funds essential victim services through its grantmaking. Grantees of OVW and the Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) run programs that support victims in the aftermath of domestic violence. There is help available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), and the Strong Hearts Native Helpline, 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483). In addition, OVW’s Resources for Victims and Survivors webpage lists national hotlines as well as state, territorial, and Tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions that can direct victims to local resources and services, as well as opportunities to get involved.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.