The Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women has awarded a total of $2,130,000 to the Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response Center, Baton Rouge City Office of the Treasurer, and Louisiana Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced on May 6.
The funding is intended to support efforts to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through improved criminal justice responses and services for victims.
The Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) Center received $1,200,000 for its Criminal Justice Response Program. The program aims to assist state, local, and tribal governments as well as courts in improving their response to various forms of interpersonal violence while helping victims seek safety and autonomy. According to the announcement, "The project will support medical and/or law enforcement accompaniment services for victims of sexual assault and follow-up calls after acute crisis response; advocacy services for victims to ensure they are connected to resources; court accompaniment; and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners clinical trainings, consultation, and peer review." STAR is described as a nonprofit organization serving youth and adult survivors of sexual trauma.
The Baton Rouge City Office of the Treasurer was awarded $500,000 while the Louisiana Department of Justice received $430,000. Both grants are designated for continued work under the Abby Honold Program. The program seeks "to improve law enforcement’s response to allegations of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking." The grant funds will provide ongoing training using evidence-based practices that are trauma-informed and victim-centered. Training will also cover crime victims’ rights throughout investigations with an aim "to work to improve the response of covered individuals to domestic and sexual violence and stalking." BRCOT serves as a parent organization for various municipal functions in East Baton Rouge Parish.
For further information about these awards or related programs from the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice may be obtained by contacting their Policy, Communication, and Evaluation Division.
