Jillian Helding
Justice Department Announces More Than $246 Million in Violence Prevention Grants for Tribal Nations
The Justice Department announced today that it will award more than $246 million in grants to American Indian and Alaska Native communities to improve public safety and serve crime victims. The announcement coincides with the 17th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, which is being held from Sept. 21st to 23rd in Anchorage, Alaska.
“Each year, this event serves as a necessary reminder of the violence perpetrated against women in Tribal communities across the country, as well as an important opportunity to confront this public safety crisis with the urgency it demands,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department remains committed to honoring our nation-to-nation partnerships and to making Tribal communities safer.”
The purpose of this event is to solicit recommendations from Tribal leaders on administering Tribal funds and programs and enhancing the safety of American Indian and Alaska Native women from domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, homicide, stalking, and sex trafficking, along with strengthening the federal response to these crimes. The annual consultation, convened by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), is required by law to address the federal administration of Tribal grant funds and programs established under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) and its subsequent reauthorizations (most recently in 2022).
In addition to addressing violent crimes that disproportionately harm women and girls, the consultation will also focus on ways to improve access to local, regional, state, and federal crime information databases and criminal justice information systems.
To read the complete announcement, visit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-more-246-million-grants-tribal-nations