August 30, 2018

Manchin and Capito Announce Funding to Help Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Victims

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $899,927 for the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (FRIS) through the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). This funding, authorized by the Violence Against Women Act, is through the Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program (Arrest Program), which supports local efforts to create a quick, holistic response to these crimes and their accompanying victims.

“Sexual assault is a horrific and devastating crime and survivors deserve every resource to begin recovering from the physical and emotional trauma. The development of a statewide Sexual Assault Response Team is an important step in ensuring every West Virginian has access to these resources. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for these resources,” Senator Manchin said. 

“Access to support services in addition to law enforcement is essential in helping victims of sexual assault and domestic violence recover,” Senator Capito said. “Unfortunately, these services are even more critical in West Virginia in order to deal with the crimes that accompany drug trafficking and addiction. This funding will help West Virginia FRIS address these issues and strengthen our communities by coordinating with law enforcement to take a holistic approach towards helping victims. I am pleased to see this funding come to West Virginia, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee I will continue to advocate for resources that help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.”

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