SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $397K IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE CITY OF AUBURN
Funding Will Be Used To Expand The Domestic Violence High-Risk Team And The Domestic Violence Follow-Up Program
Project Will Improve Domestic Violence Response Training And Enhance Support For Victims To Help Keep Them Safe
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $397,037 for the City of Auburn. The funding is provided by the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women’s Improving Criminal Justice Responses Grant Program. The City of Auburn, in collaboration with its non-profit, non-governmental victim service partner, the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency, Inc., will use this funding to expand the Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRT) and the Domestic Violence Follow-Up Program (DVFUP). This project will provide training for officials on best responses to domestic violence cases in order to enhance the safety of victims.
“This federal funding will provide invaluable services to the residents of Auburn who have been victims of domestic violence and abuse. We must send an unequivocal message that domestic violence and violence against women will not be tolerated,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased that the Department of Justice has provided this funding to the City of Auburn and its partner, the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency, Inc., and will continue fighting to ensure that victims of domestic violence have the services they need.”
“Domestic violence is a serious problem and we need to work towards creating a safe environment for individuals and families. With this critical funding, the City of Auburn will be able to better identify high-risk domestic violence cases, train officials to better respond to these incidents, and expand help for survivors,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is important that we support and encourage domestic violence victims as they seek assistance, and I will always fight for programs that provide the necessary resources to protect our families.”
“Every community has a responsibility to address domestic violence, both through prevention and training, and by supporting survivors,” said City of Auburn Mayor Michael Quill. “Receiving the Improving Criminal Justice Responses grant is great news for the Auburn community. The funding will be used to expand the Domestic Violence High Risk Team and the Domestic Violence Follow-Up Program.”
Specifically, expanding the Domestic Violence High Risk Team and Domestic Violence Follow-Up Program will help do the following:
- Improve an evidence-based risk assessment screening tool to identify a broader array of high-risk domestic violence cases;
- Improve criminal justice system responses to domestic violence through case collaboration and implementation of best practices;
- Reduce the likelihood of escalation of domestic violence for high-risk victims;
- Enhance safety and support for victims of identified high-risk cases through victim assistance and court advocacy, victim safety kits, gas cards, and prepaid phone cards;
- Provide annual training of local criminal justice partners on domestic violence investigation and response; and
- Cross-train law enforcement personnel on community services available to victims of domestic violence.
The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women’s Improving Criminal Justice Responses Grant Program works to implement certain provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. The Improving Criminal Justice Response Program encourages state, local, and tribal governments and state, local, and tribal courts to treat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as serious violations of criminal law requiring the coordinated involvement of the entire criminal justice system. More information can be found here.
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