Leahy Announces $3 M. In Federal Grants
For Vermont Programs To Combat Domestic Violence
And Violence Against Women In Communities And On Campus

. . . Domestic Violence Grants To Vt. This Fall Now Total $5.8 M.

(TUESDAY, Oct. 10) – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced Tuesday that seven Vermont programs have been awarded more than $3 million in grants to combat domestic violence.  Leahy announced in August and September that several Vermont programs have been awarded $2.8 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) -- many under the Leahy-authored Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Program – bringing the total grants to Vermont to $5.8 million in the last two months.

The Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, as well as programs in St. Albans, Burlington, and at the University of Vermont, are receiving grants from DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women, through programs authorized under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2000.  Leahy is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and led efforts to renew VAWA’s charter, which was signed into law in January 2006.  Vermont programs receiving grants will use the funding to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, including victims with disabilities, and for educational and advocacy programs.

“Domestic violence takes a toll on families and communities in rural areas, just as it does in larger urban areas,” said Leahy.  “These grants help our local and state programs offer the support victims of domestic violence so badly need.  I applaud both our law enforcement officers and the advocates who are fighting to help and protect Vermont victims, and to combat and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault throughout our state.”

Leahy is the Democratic leader of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.  Since the 2006 reauthorization of VAWA, Vermont organizations have received an estimated $6 million in grants through this program to aid targeted areas throughout the state in treating domestic violence as a serious violation of criminal law.

Vermont programs receiving funding include:

• Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
  • Education and Technical Assistance to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities, $750,000
  • Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program, $166,082
  • Legal Assistance for Victims Program, $643,762
• St. Albans, Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program, $319,580
• Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services, STOP Violence Against Women Program, $788,219
• Burlington, Women Helping Battered Women, Legal Assistance for Victims, $245,299
• University of Vermont, Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus, $199,912

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