U.S. Attorney's Office For The Western District Of North Carolina Announces Funding During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) draws to a close, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announces that the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded funding to bolster coordinated community responses aimed at bringing an end to domestic violence, as well as sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

The funding prioritizes increasing access to justice, improving survivor safety, holding perpetrators accountable, and offering training and technical support to professionals addressing these crimes.

Data from the most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate about 41% of women and 26% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. Domestic violence rates are even higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, Black individuals, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

In the Western District of North Carolina, OVW awarded $375,000 to the Town of Mooresville under the Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program to promote coordinated community responses among law enforcement agencies, courts, victim service providers, and other system partners.

The Town of Mooresville, in collaboration with its project partners, will utilize this award to continue improving the jurisdiction’s criminal justice system response to domestic violence. Specifically, the funding will be used to develop and implement policies and training for

police, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, and the judiciary in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting crimes of domestic violence.

Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina said, “I am pleased to announce that the Town of Mooresville has been awarded funding from the Office on Violence Against Women. The funding will enhance a coordinated response to crimes of domestic violence and appropriate treatment of victims.”

“Every day, a vast network of dedicated individuals helps domestic violence survivors access multiple pathways to safety, justice, and healing,” said OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo. “OVW understands that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence. These funds will enable communities to increase capacity and strengthen a coordinated community approach to prevent and address violence in more comprehensive ways tailored to their communities. Together, with our grantees, we are building a future where individuals and families can live and thrive without the threat of intimate partner violence.”

OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.