The Sconi

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin has announced nearly $4 million in federal grants aimed at combating violent crimes against women and enhancing victim services across the state.

According to the office, the Wisconsin Department of Justice was awarded $3,030,186 through the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. This program was established under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 and has been reauthorized by later legislation. The STOP program promotes collaboration among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and organizations that support victims. Its purpose is to improve strategies for addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking while also strengthening community-based and culturally specific services for victims.

Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Justice received $954,705 from the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program (SAS Formula Program). This funding initiative was created by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005. The SAS program provides financial support to states to help rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations deliver core services and direct assistance to sexual assault victims of all ages. These funds are intended to supplement other resources dedicated to supporting survivors as they navigate medical care, criminal justice proceedings, and social service systems.

"The goal of the grant program is to develop and strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services, including community based, culturally specific services, in cases involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking," according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

"Rape crisis centers and other nonprofit organizations such as dual programs providing domestic violence and sexual assault intervention services play a vital role in assisting sexual assault victims through the healing process as well as assisting victims through the medical criminal justice and other social support systems," said officials with knowledge of how SAS funds are used.

These awards are part of ongoing efforts by federal authorities in partnership with state agencies to address gender-based violence throughout Wisconsin.