Murkowski Applauds Public Safety Funding Awarded to Alaska
Grant Aims to Improve Victim Safety and Hold Offenders Accountable
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) welcomed the announcement that the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is awarding $861,716 to the Alaska Department of Public Safety through the Fiscal Year 2021 Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. The focus of the grant program is to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to help turn the tide on rising numbers of violent crimes against women, as well as to improve victim services for cases against women involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
“The announcement that Alaska’s Department of Public Safety Office will receive funding from OVW is welcomed news. These grants will be significant in helping communities across the nation strengthen law enforcement efforts, support prosecution strategies, and bolster victim services for women who’ve experienced violent crimes. For Alaska, particularly as victim service providers and law enforcement grapple with the impacts of COVID-19—any added support is significant,” said Senator Murkowski. “We’ve made good progress in our efforts to improve public safety in Alaska, but I continue to hear from victims, survivors of violence, and the organizations that support them how much more is left to be done. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, ensuring that this important program maintains funding as well as working with my colleagues in the Senate and administration to move forward a bipartisan VAWA reauthorization, continue to be top priorities.”
The full, nationwide list of awards for this program can be found here.
More information about the STOP Formula Grant Program can be found here.
Background:
The STOP Formula Grant Program was authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 and reauthorized by subsequent legislation. Within numerous Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bills, Senator Murkowski has worked to ensure the program is funded.
