PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank has announced $770,467 in Department of Justice grants to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township to battle domestic violence.
“American Indian and Alaska Native communities experience rates of violent crime and domestic abuse that are among the highest in the nation," said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The awards announced today underscore the Department of Justice’s deep commitment to improving public safety in tribal communities throughout the United States. This administration will continue to work closely with our tribal partners to guarantee that they have the resources they need to combat violence and bring criminals to justice."
“Unfortunately, Maine is not immune from the scourge of domestic violence, and that includes our Native American populations," U.S. Attorney Frank said. “My hope is that this funding will go a long way toward ensuring they have the resources they need to assist victims and bring those responsible for domestic violence to justice."
A total of more than $103 million is being awarded to tribes across the country under the Justice Department’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation. CTAS supports activities that enhance law enforcement and tribal justice practices, expand victim services and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts. CTAS grants are administered by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) ($41.5 million), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) ($39.1 million) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) ($22.5 million).
An additional $113 million is being awarded to 133 applicants nationwide under the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program. This program, managed by OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime, is designed to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime and promote other public safety initiatives.
“Public safety officials and victim service providers in Indian country face exceptional challenges, but they bring to their work an extraordinary array of skills and resources that enable them to meet and overcome any obstacle," said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to help fulfill Attorney General Barr’s strong commitment - and the federal government’s long-standing responsibility - to our tribal partners in the matter of their citizens' safety and wellbeing."
In addition to the CTAS and Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside awards, OVW is making additional tribal awards of more than $31 million to support a wide range of efforts to address the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.
Additional awards to support tribal public safety efforts are being made by OJP and the COPS Office. These grants will provide community policing training and other training and technical assistance. Awards will also address the needs of tribal youth, fund tribal reentry efforts, help tribes combat substance abuse and manage sex offenders, and support tribal research. In addition, funds support efforts in 17 tribal communities to address the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19.
A full listing of all the announced CTAS awards is available.
A full listing of all Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program awards is available.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
