Thoughtprints

From the web site Violence Against Women:

In 1994, Congress passed and President Clinton signed the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to enhance the ability of States and Territories (hereinafter "States") to respond to violence against women. The legislation was designed to begin to close existing gaps and commit the Federal Government to an aggressive response to this epidemic. The VAWA creates new Federal laws, expands existing programs and establishes several new grant programs.

One of the grant programs was established as a formula grant program, designated STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors). The STOP program is administered by the Violence Against Women Grants Office (VAWGO), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice. These grants "assist States, Indian tribal governments, and units of local government to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violence against women, and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women."

The VAWA defines violence against women as sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence. It outlines seven specific purpose areas that can be funded with STOP dollars. It also requires states to allocate funds in 25 percent allotments in at least three categories (victim services, law enforcement and prosecution).

Understanding the importance of building a coordinated community response, the Act mandates each State develop a plan to implement the STOP program. The VAWA recognizes the key role community-based advocates have and must continue to play in developing effective strategies to stop violence against women. The Act stipulates each State must "consult and coordinate with nonprofit, non-governmental victim service programs, including sexual assault and domestic violence victim services programs."

Did you know about this? Had you ever heard of The Violence Against Women Act? I hadn't. So naturally I had never heard of the STOP program, either. Had you? Do you think your state is complying with the federal mandate to implement the STOP program? I think it's something we, as women, should investigate in our respective states. It looks good on paper, but has it become a reality? That's the question we should all be asking our state officials!

The Violence Against Women Act, STOP program