Manchin, Rockefeller & Rahall Announce Significant Grant to Prevent Violence Against Women in West Virginia
Funding will go toward law enforcement, prosecution strategies and victim services
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, along with Congressman Nick Rahall, today announced $1,189,826 in federal funding for West Virginia through the Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Grant Program to improve the criminal justice system’s response to violent crimes against women.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure, and STOP grants and other Violence Against Women Act programs are vital for domestic violence survivors,” said Rockefeller. “This important funding provides necessary resources for law enforcement officials, court personnel, and all those who work so hard to keep people safe from domestic violence and sexual assault. West Virginia has seen far too many domestic violence related tragedies this year, which underscores the need for programs like this for all of us to continue working to end these abuses. I am a proud co-sponsor and longtime supporter of the Violence Against Women Act and I will continue to do everything I can to protect our families and keep them safe from harm.”
“I am a proud sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act, which funds these grants, because as a nation we must do everything that we can to make sure that women and children are free from violence. I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure that we move forward with a strong measure this year so that we can continue this funding,” Senator Manchin said. “During Senate debates on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, I heard so many stories from organizations in our state about how these essential grant programs that have made a tremendous difference to families in our communities. This law is the single most critical piece of federal legislation affecting the safety of survivors of domestic violence and their children in every county of West Virginia.”
“This funding helps to rebuild the lives of victims of domestic violence and provides the dignity of a safer environment in which they can move forward,” said Rahall. “Every woman assisted and every offender who is met with justice under this program increases the worth of this federal investment.”
The STOP Program encourages the development and implementation of effective, victim-centered law enforcement, prosecution, court strategies, and victim services to address violent crimes against women. This federal program was created under the Violence Against Women Act and is administered by the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.
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