Lowey Announces $3M in Federal Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention Grants to Mark Beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Press Release

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced more than $3 million in federal grants to local organizations to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and dating violence. October 1 marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

"There is no excuse for domestic violence, and we must work together to ensure women and children know that resources are available so that they may live safely without fear of violence," said Lowey. "These federal grants help us mark the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a strong statement against domestic violence in our communities. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I helped to increase funding for the Office of Violence Against Women grants, and I will continue to secure funding for critical programs that help eradicate the scourge of abuse and assist victims."

Grant recipients include My Sisters' Place (two grants totaling $999,509), Westchester Hispanic Coalition ($500,000) of White Plains, Westchester County (two grants totaling $712,865), the City of White Plains ($295,700), and The Village of Spring Valley (two grants totaling $492,258). The grants come from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women (OVAW), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

My Sisters' Place(MSP) received a $500,000 OVAW legal assistance grant to provide quality representation to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in Westchester County. MSP also received a $499,509 OVC grant to provide assistance to victims of human trafficking.

"This grant money will allow My Sisters' Place to enhance the work we have been doing to help assist victims of domestic violence, and allow our community to better identify and combat the human rights abuse that is human trafficking," said Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Esq., CEO, My Sisters' Place, Inc. "We are grateful for Congresswoman Lowey's efforts to help fund important grant programs like these, and thank her for her continued support of our mission and overall work of our agency."

The Westchester Hispanic Coalition received $500,000 from OVAW to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence.

Westchester Countyreceived a $400,000 OVAW grant to collaborate with the Town of Greenburgh Police Department, Westchester County District Attorney's Office, Victims Assistance Services of WestCOP, Pace Women's Justice Center, and the Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Services & Prevention to develop a multidisciplinary approach to address elder abuse.

Jane Aoyama-Martin, Executive Director of the Pace Women's Justice Center, said, "The impact of the VAWA federal grants in Westchester County is tremendous -- these grants enable us to make a significant difference in the lives of so many victims and survivors and their children by increasing safety, support, and much needed legal and social services, and by holding offenders accountable for their actions. The Pace Women's Justice Center is proud to be part of the coordinated community response with our sister organizations, and we thank Congresswoman Lowey for her unwavering support that she's given for our work in combating violence against women."

Westchester County also recently received a $312,865 NIJ grant for conducting DNA analysis to reduce the DNA backlog.

The City of White Plains received a $295,700 OVAW grant to enhance victim safety and offender accountability in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by encouraging jurisdictions to implement pro-arrest policies as an effective intervention that is part of a coordinated community response.

"The City of White Plains is grateful to receive this funding from the federal Violence Against Women Act," said White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach. "It will be used to assist our police department in responding to cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in a coordinated way that will also enhance victim safety. Thank you to Mrs. Lowey, who has been a crucial advocate for White Plains in Washington, and was once again our champion on this funding request."

The Village of Spring Valley in Rockland County received two OVAW grants. A $192,258 Justice for Families Program grant will help improve civil and/or criminal court functions, enhance court infrastructure and improve court responses to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking in the Village of Spring Valley. A $300,000 grant will enhance victim safety and offender accountability in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking by encouraging jurisdictions to implement pro-arrest policies as an effective intervention that is part of a coordinated community response.

Congresswoman Lowey believes citizens have the basic right to live in communities free from fear and violence. In response to the recent news about violence against women by professional athletes, Lowey and many of her colleagues have written the commissioners of major league sports leagues requesting reviews of their policies on domestic violence and child abuse as well as reforms that appropriately penalize players for committing these acts to help deter violence by players and raise awareness throughout society. Lowey fought successfully to increase funding for the Office of Violence Against Women grants in the Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill.

In addition to helping prevent domestic violence, Lowey is working to advance commonsense gun safety initiatives, protect children from predators, eliminate drunk driving, and ensure law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs are trained and equipped to keep our community safe.

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