In a milestone event, the U.S. Department of Justice recently awarded over $690 million in grants to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and related crimes.

These funds, distributed through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), will provide much-needed services and resources across the United States, its territories, and numerous Tribal nations.

Marking 30 Years of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

This significant funding announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

First passed in 1994, VAWA was a groundbreaking federal law aimed at preventing and addressing violence against women.

Since its inception, the law has led to transformational changes in how the nation responds to crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault.

Reflecting on this progress, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of recognizing these offenses as serious crimes.

“Thirty years ago, VAWA transformed our national response,” Garland said, noting that society can no longer treat these issues as private matters.

Building a Safer Nation

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, who was involved in the original passage of VAWA, highlighted how far the country has come since 1994, while also acknowledging that more work remains.

The Justice Department, alongside countless survivors and advocates, has been instrumental in holding perpetrators accountable and protecting victims.

The new grants reaffirm the nation’s commitment to creating safe communities free from violence.

Expanding Pathways to Justice

Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General, stressed that VAWA has continually evolved, adding that justice must be accessible in ways that resonate with each survivor’s unique experience.

The latest updates to VAWA include expanded resources to tackle emerging forms of gender-based violence, like cybercrimes and non-consensual image distribution.

VAWA’s Expanding Reach Over Time

First passed in 1994, VAWA has been reauthorized multiple times—in 2000, 2005, 2013, and 2022—each time expanding the law’s scope.

What began as a program primarily focused on supporting law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts, now includes enhanced services and more inclusive legal protections.

Each reauthorization has adapted to the evolving needs of survivors and expanded the ways communities can access justice, support, and safety.

Empowering Survivors Through Community-Centered Programs

OVW Director Rosie Hidalgo praised the survivor-focused approach of VAWA, noting that the law’s strength lies in its focus on the real experiences of those affected.

The OVW, created in 1995 to implement VAWA, has awarded over $11 billion to fund programs that support victims and address gender-based violence.

This year’s funding includes innovative grant programs that reflect the diverse needs of survivors, particularly those from historically underserved populations.

Key Grant Programs for 2024

Several major programs will receive a portion of the $690 million in grants. These include:

STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grants: Over $171 million to support coordinated community responses.
Sexual Assault Services Formula Program: Over $52 million to assist state and Tribal rape crisis centers.
Transitional Housing Assistance Grants: Over $40 million to support housing for victims in need of a temporary living situation.
Grants to Improve Criminal Justice Response: Over $24 million to strengthen local justice systems.

Addressing Emerging Threats Like Cybercrimes

The 2022 VAWA reauthorization introduced new initiatives to tackle modern challenges, including:

Trauma-Informed Training for Law Enforcement: $3 million to improve how law enforcement handles victims of sexual assault.
National Resource Center on Cybercrimes: $2.8 million to establish a hub for tackling cyber-stalking and other online threats.
Local Law Enforcement Grants for Cybercrimes: $5.5 million to support the prosecution and prevention of cybercrimes.

Looking Forward

The Justice Department’s latest grant programs highlight how the nation’s response to domestic and sexual violence continues to grow.

As OVW Director Hidalgo pointed out, the focus remains on ensuring that all survivors, regardless of their background or circumstance, have access to safety, justice, and healing.

With this new funding, the hope is that every community will be better equipped to protect its members from violence.

As the country continues to evolve in its response to gender-based violence, the commitment to supporting survivors remains steadfast.

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