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Criminal Justice Planning receives STOP Violence Against Women grant

Congresswoman Aumua Amata
Sources: Media release from Cong. Aumua Amata's office

Pago Pago — Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a STOP Violence Against Women federal grant of $617,983 for services in American Samoa.

This federal funding to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency is through the U.S. Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), led by Principal Deputy Attorney General Laura L. Rogers. OVW is part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), under Attorney General William Barr.

The STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (STOP Formula Grant Program) was authorized by Congress initially in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and since then additional statutory authority has been provided regularly by subsequent legislation and congressional appropriations.

“Anyone vulnerable or facing a threat should know they can go to authorities and be protected, and find the services and help they need,” said Aumua Amata. “We must end domestic violence, including ongoing education and enforcement. Violence against women, children, the elderly or anyone vulnerable for any reason cannot be tolerated.”

The STOP Formula Grant Program encourages partnerships between law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim services organizations to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The goal of the grant program is to develop and strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services.