CHARLOTTE, N.C. - U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that $946,892 in federal grants has been allocated to Safe Alliance in Charlotte by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), to expand access to legal services and improve the coordination of justice systems for victims of violence and sexual assault and their families.
OVW awarded more than $35 million to grantees under the Legal Assistance for Victims Program (LAV), which focuses on the legal needs of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Charlotte-based Safe Alliance, an organization that provides services and advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, was awarded $596,892 as part of the LAV grant program, to enhance its comprehensive direct legal services in matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. In addition, earlier this month, OVW’s Justice for Families Program awarded over $14 million to projects that aim to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice systems to families with a history of domestic violence. Safe Alliance was awarded a $350,000 grant under this program, which also supports supervised visitation and the safe exchange of children.
“The deployment of federal resources through grants is critical in our mission to support community organizations that combat gender-based violence and assist victims, survivors, and their families as they recover and rebuild their lives. From increasing access to legal services to improving the response of the civil and the criminal justice systems, federal funding ensures continuity of services and expansion into areas that address the integral needs and unique challenges faced by victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault," said U.S. Attorney King.
Karen Parker, President and CEO of Safe Alliance, said, “Safe Alliance is deeply grateful for our partnership with OVW and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help survivors of domestic violence build safer lives for themselves and their children. Legal services and support for children are two of the most requested services as survivors work to extricate themselves from a violent relationship. These tools will help victims address immediate safety needs as well as ensure longer term interventions to break the cycle of violence."
“Legal services and systems, including family courts, have a tremendous impact on survivors’ and their families’ livelihood, wellbeing, and freedom," said OVW Acting Director Allison Randall. “Meaningful representation for survivors is vital but can be difficult to attain in the aftermath of violence, or when someone is still trying to find safety. Grantees under OVW’s Legal Assistance for Victims and Justice for Families Programs help survivors navigate complicated processes and potentially dangerous points along the way, including supervised visitation, protection orders, and divorce."
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
