Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2012

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $417K DEPT. OF JUSTICE INVESTMENTS FOR THE CAPITAL REGION; INVESTMENT WILL INCREASE SOCIAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT & VIOLENCE

DOJ Funding Through the Schumer Sponsored Violence Against Women Act Will Support Cap Region’s Work to Council Victims of Domestic Violence, Stalking, Abuse

Schumer: By Supporting Victims Assistance Programs, We Can Respond to Violence and Help Keep Women Safe from Predators and Abusers

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that two Capital Region organizations will receive Department of Justice grants totaling $417,344. The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault will receive a $117,344 State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program grant to intervene on behalf of and assist victims of sexual assault through the Sexual Assault Services Program. In addition, the Unity House of Troy, Inc. will receive a $300,000 Legal Assistance for Victims grant to provide legal workshops in rural areas and on college and high school campuses regarding the legal options and services available for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This funding will also allow Unity House to hire an attorney and advocates to provide direct legal counsel to clients.

"Protecting women from abusers and predators is an enormous priority, and this investment will help keep Capital Region residents safe by improving response to violence and assault and help protect and defend victims,” said Schumer. “I am pleased such an important federal investment is being made in the Capital Region and that our social service programs will have the funding they need to help keep women safe.”

The Grants to State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program implements certain provisions of the Violence Against Women Act, of which Senator Schumer was an original sponsor. This grant program supports state coalition efforts to coordinate victim services within their state as well as collaborate with other federal, state, and local entities to respond to violence against women issues affecting their jurisdictions. Statewide sexual assault coalitions provide support to member rape crisis centers through funding, training and technical assistance, and public awareness. Statewide domestic violence coalitions provide comparable support to member battered women's shelters and victim service programs. In a small number of states and territories, these support services are provided through a single dual sexual assault and domestic violence coalition. In other states, state sexual assault and domestic violence coalitions exist as separate organizations.

The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program also implements provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. The program is designed to strengthen civil and criminal legal assistance programs for adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are seeking relief in legal matters arising as a consequence of that abuse or violence. Eligible applicants include nonprofit, nongovernmental legal services organizations; nonprofit, nongovernmental victim service agencies; public entities operating in their nongovernmental capacity; and Indian tribal governments. OVW funds projects that provide comprehensive legal services either through direct representation and/or victim advocacy which enhances victims' safety and strengthens their economic security. OVW has a particular interest in programs that provide holistic legal services, focused solely or primarily on providing a broad range of representation and legal advocacy to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.

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