Western Washington Organizations Receive more than $6.2 Million in Grants to Fight Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

          The U.S. Department of Justice will provide more than $6.2 million in federal funds to a dozen western Washington entities working to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  The grants also fund services to victims, and programs to prevent violence and abuse.

            “I’m pleased that these grant monies support programs that assist victims of domestic and sexual violence, and prevent such violence in the future,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  “These grants are aimed at assisting a wide range of western Washington residents from tribal members, to immigrants, to members of our LGBTQ community.  I commend the groups whose proposals rose to the top and received funding.”

            Five local non-profit organizations received grants:

• Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Seattle – A $750,000 grant to provide advocacy services to 500 rural Latina victims of sexual assault and legal services to an additional 120 victims.
• Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, Shelton, WA – A $356,717 grant to provide services in rural Mason County, including training for first responders, establishment of sexual assault protocols, establish 24/7 domestic violence response system and appropriate materials to advocate for Latina victims.
• King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KSARC) Seattle – A $776,336 grant to provide competent sexual assault advocacy and civil legal representation to Latina victims of sexual assault.
• Young Women’s Christian Association YWCA, Seattle – A $608,603 grant to conduct outreach to underserved communities and provide legal services to victims of sexual assault thought a variety of means, including translating materials into Spanish, Somali and Korean.
• NW Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors, Seattle – A $350,000 grant to work with other partners to provide intervention and therapy services to youth survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and sex trafficking.

Both King County and Pierce County received grant funding, as did Clark College in Vancouver, WA.

• Pierce County received $900,000 to work with local non-profits to provide services to victims of domestic violence especially in immigrant communities.
• King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office received $406,079 to work with domestic violence victims to understand why victims recant their statements to law enforcement, jeopardizing prosecution.
• Clark College, Vancouver, WA – A $300,000 grant to train law enforcement and provide services to victims of sexual assault.

Three Western Washington Tribes and one coalition received grants focused on services to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence:

• Tulalip Tribes of Washington, Tulalip, WA -$528,015 for a civil legal aid program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Port Angeles, WA -$498,865 to provide housing and services to victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.
• Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, La Conner, WA - $495,000 to strengthen the Tribal justice system and provide services to victims.
• Washington State Native American Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Sequim, WA - $318,008 to raise awareness and provide services to Native American victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse and sex trafficking.

More information about the grants are available from the recipients.