Established by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, the STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Program seeks to develop and implement law enforcement and prosecution strategies to effectively decrease violent crimes against women. These grants also help to develop and enhance services provided to the victims of violent crimes.
In Mississippi, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Office Against Interpersonal Violence (OAIV) is responsible for coordinating VAWA funds with local agencies. Funds through VAWA provide systematic and sustained focus on permanent systems change within the Mississippi criminal justice system, while simultaneously developing a comprehensive network of domestic violence and sexual assault victim service advocates and programs throughout Mississippi communities.
In Mississippi, proposals for VAWA funding must identify at least one of the priority areas and at least one of the purpose areas listed below
- Priority areas:
- Training and support for criminal justice system personnel,
- Direct and intervention services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and
- Provision of services for underserved populations.
- Purpose areas:
- Training law enforcement officers, judges, other court personnel, and prosecutors to more effectively identify and respond to violent crimes against women, including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
- Maintaining, developing, training, or expanding units of law enforcement officers, judges, other court personnel, and prosecutors specifically targeting violent crimes against women, including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
- Developing and implementing more effective police, court, and prosecution policies, protocols, orders, and services specifically devoted to preventing, identifying, and responding to violent crimes against women, including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as the appropriate treatment of victims.
- Developing and strengthening policies, protocols, best practices, and training for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors relating specifically to the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases and the appropriate treatment of victims.
- Developing, enlarging, or strengthening victim services and legal assistance programs, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking programs.
- Developing or improving delivery of victim services to unserved, underserved or inadequately served populations
- Developing, enlarging, or strengthening programs addressing the needs and circumstances of Indian tribes in dealing with violent crimes against women, including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
- Training of sexual assault forensic medical personnel examiners in the collection and preservation of evidence, analysis, prevention, and providing expert testimony and treatment of trauma related to sexual assault.
- Maintaining and enhancing core services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault (including but not limited to hotlines, individual and group therapy for victims and their dependents, shelters and safe houses, criminal justice, legal and personal advocacy, information and referrals, court, investigation and medical accompaniment, case management, crisis response) and criminal justice initiatives, while supporting complementary new initiatives and emergency services for victims and their families.
- Developing, implementing, or enhancing Sexual Assault Response Teams, or other similar coordinated community responses to sexual assault.
- Development of systems to enhance the ability to track and accurately report domestic violence homicides within jurisdictions.
Allowable costs include: Personnel providing eligible services, operating costs associated with eligible services, eligible services skills training, supervision of project-related staff and activities, well justified travel, and professional services/consultants providing eligible services, indirect costs, supplies, and equipment.