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Fact Sheets

The Facts about the Office on Violence Against Women Focus Areas ( PDF Version )

The Facts about the Violence Against Women Act ( PDF Version )

The Facts about the Office on Violence Against Women Grant Programs ( PDF Version )

The Facts about Violence Against Women in Indian Country ( PDF Version )

FAQ: Anonymous Reporting and Forensic Examinations ( PDF Version )

Faith-Based and Community Organization Resources Fact Sheet ( PDF Version )

What Faith Leaders Can Do Fact Sheet ( PDF Version )


OVW Grant Program Fact Sheets

The Facts about Grants to Tribal Government Program

The Facts about the Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Grant Program


The Facts about the Office on Violence Against Women Focus Areas

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides national leadership in developing the nation's capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 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 12 federal grant programs, OVW often undertakes a number of special initiatives in response to areas of special need, dedicating resources to develop enhancements in areas requiring particular attention or in communities facing particularly acute challenges.

What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.  Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

What is Sexual Assault? Sexual assault can be defined as any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient of the unwanted sexual activity. Falling under the definition of sexual assault is sexual activity such as forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.

What is Dating Violence? Dating violence is defined as violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

The length of the relationship
The type of relationship
The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship

What is Stalking? Stalking can be defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.

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The Facts about the Violence Against Women Act

The Office on Violence Against Women is a component of the United States Department of Justice.  In recognition of the severity of the crimes associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA 1994) as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. VAWA is a comprehensive legislative package designed to end violence against women and was reauthorized in both 2000 and 2005. The legislative history of VAWA indicates that Congress seeks to remedy the legacy of laws and social norms that serve to justify violence against women. Since the passage of VAWA, there has been a paradigm shift in how the issue of violence against women is addressed.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) was created specifically to implement (VAWA) and subsequent legislation. OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities around the country to facilitate the creation of programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

VAWA was designed to improve criminal justice responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and to increase the availability of services for victims of these crimes. VAWA requires a coordinated community response (CCR) to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, encouraging jurisdictions to bring together players from diverse backgrounds to share information and to use their distinct roles to improve community responses to violence against women. These players include, but are not limited to: victim advocates, police officers, prosecutors, judges, probation and corrections officials, health care professionals, leaders within faith communities, and survivors of violence against women. The federal law takes a comprehensive approach to violence against women by combining tough new penalties to prosecute offenders while implementing programs to aid the victims of such violence.

The Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000) and the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005) reauthorized the grant programs created by the original VAWA and subsequent legislation, as well as established new programs. Specifically, the new programs of VAWA 2005 include the Court Training and Improvements, Child Witness, and Culturally Specific programs. The VAWA 2000 reauthorization strengthened the original law by improving protections for battered immigrants, sexual assault survivors, and victims of dating violence. In addition, it enabled victims of domestic violence that flee across state lines to obtain custody orders without returning to jurisdictions where they may be in danger. Furthermore, it improved the enforcement of protection orders across state and tribal lines. VAWA 2005 continued to improve upon these laws by providing an increased focus on the access to services for underserved populations.

In 2002, legislation was passed that made OVW a permanent part of the Department of Justice with a Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed Director. Since 1994, OVW has awarded more than $3 billion in grant funds to state, tribal, and local governments, non-profit victim services providers, and universities.

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The Facts about the Office on Violence Against Women Grant Programs

The Office on Violence Against Women administers 18 grant programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and subsequent legislation. These grant programs are designed to develop the nation’s capacity to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by strengthening services to victims and holding offenders accountable for their actions.

Education, Training, and Enhanced Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities Grant Program
This discretionary grant program is designed to provide training, consultation, and information on domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault against individuals with disabilities and to provide direct services to such individuals. Eligible applicants are states; units of local government; Indian tribal governments or tribal organizations; and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services organizations.

Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women Later in Life Grant Program
This discretionary grant program is designed to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking against victims who are 50 years of age or older through training and services. Eligible applicants include states and territories; Indian tribal governments and tribal organizations; units of local government; and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services organizations with demonstrated experience in assisting elderly women or demonstrated experience in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program
This discretionary grant program is designed to encourage 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. Eligible applicants are states and territories; units of local government; Indian tribal governments; and state, local, tribal, and territorial courts.

Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program
This discretionary grant program is designed to enhance the ability of tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, enhance victim safety, and develop education and prevention strategies. Eligible applicants are recognized Indian tribal governments or their authorized designees.

Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program
This discretionary grant program is designed to strengthen the higher education community’s response to sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence crimes on campuses and to enhance collaboration among campuses, local law enforcement, and victim advocacy organizations. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education.

Grants to State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program
This program provides grants to each state domestic violence coalition (as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services) and sexual assault coalition (as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for the purposes of coordinating state victim services activities and collaborating and coordinating with federal, state, and local entities engaged in violence against women activities.

Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program
This discretionary grant program is designed to strengthen civil and criminal legal assistance programs for adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are seeking relief in legal matters arising as a consequence of that abuse or violence. Eligible applicants include private nonprofit entities, territorial organizations, Indian tribal governments and tribal organizations, and publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity, such as law schools. Three percent of the funding for this program is set aside for grants to programs that assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on lands within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe.

Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Assistance Grant Program
This discretionary grant program is designed to enhance services available for child, youth, and adult victims in rural communities by encouraging community involvement in developing a coordinated response
to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Eligible applicants are states and territories; Indian tribes; local governments; and nonprofit, public or private entities, including tribal nonprofit organizations, proposing to serve rural areas or rural communities. Not less than 75 percent of the total funding available for the program is for eligible entities located in rural states. Depending on the size of appropriations, 25–40 percent is set aside for services that meaningfully address sexual assault. For more information, including the definitions of “rural area” and “rural state,” please see www.ovw.usdoj.gov.

Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program
This discretionary grant program helps create safe places for visitation with and exchange of children in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. Eligible applicants are states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments.

STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program
These formula grants are awarded to states and territories to develop and strengthen the criminal justice system's response to violence against women and to support and enhance services for victims. Each state and territory must allocate 25 percent of the grant funds for law enforcement, 25 percent for prosecution, 5 percent for courts, and 30 percent for victim services.

Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault Program
This discretionary grant program provides transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and related support services for individuals who are homeless or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance as a result of fleeing a situation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient. Eligible applicants are states, units of local government, Indian tribal governments, and other organizations that have a documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Grant Program
This discretionary grant program is designed for increasing awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault against American Indian and Alaska Native women, enhancing the response to such violence at the tribal, federal, and state levels, and providing technical assistance to coalition membership and tribal communities. Eligible applicants are established nonprofit, nongovernmental tribal coalitions addressing domestic violence and sexual assault against American Indian and Alaska Native women and individuals or organizations that propose to incorporate as nonprofit, nongovernmental tribal coalitions.

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The Facts about Violence Against Women in Indian Country

Are Indian and Alaska Native Women at Risk of Experiencing Violence?

According to a December 2004 study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, American Indians are twice as likely to experience sexual assault crimes compared to all other races.   In 2000, the National Institute of Justice published a report on the findings of the National Violence Against Women Survey which revealed that one in three Indian women reported having been raped during her lifetime.

What is OVW Doing to Stop Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women?

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) was created by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. Since opening its doors in 1995, OVW has awarded more than $1 billion in grant funding to state, local, and tribal governments to address violence against women. 

Over the past decade, OVW has used more than $100 million in Congressionally-appropriated funding to make grant awards through the STOP Violence Against Indian Women Discretionary Grant Program, and through OVW’s other grant programs, to more than 120 tribal governments.

OVW offers a comprehensive training and technical assistance program designed to provide support and assistance to tribal governments to increase their capacity to develop a coordinated community response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to appropriately administer grant funds.  

What is the “Safety for Indian Women from Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative”?

OVW has supported demonstration initiatives for Indian country, including its most recent initiative, the Safety for Indian Women from Sexual Assault Offenders Demonstration Initiative. Under this $2 million Initiative, four Federally-recognized Indian tribes received funding to increase their capacity to respond to the needs of Indian women who are victims of sexual assault, and to strengthen the collaboration between the tribal and Federal officials who share responsibility for responding to sexual assault in these communities.

Have OVW Grants Helped Tribal Communities End Violence Against Indian Women?

OVW will make awards totaling just over $30 million to tribal governments under the new Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program during the summer of 2007. Between January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005, more than 100 tribal governments used grant funding from OVW to improve their community’s response to violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women. Among the key accomplishments of this group, include:

  • Providing training on how to respond to crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to more than 650 law enforcement officers, nearly 150 prosecutors, and more than 130 judges, and 81 probation and parole officers.
  • Responding to 2,514 incidents of crimes related to violence against women. More than 1,700 of these cases were investigated, and nearly 1,100 offenders were arrested and charged.
  • Providing advocacy and supportive services to approximately 13,000 women and children from tribal communities, and helping more than 15,000 women obtain protective order relief.

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FAQ: Anonymous Reporting and Forensic Examinations

Frequently Asked Questions:
Anonymous Reporting and Forensic Examinations

What is a "Jane Doe Rape Kit?"
What is the new federal law regarding forensic examination?
Are states, under VAWA 2005, required to institute "Jane Doe Rape Kits" or "anonymous reporting"?
Who has to comply with the VAWA 2005 requirement regarding forensic examination?
VAWA requires a sexual assault victim to have access to an exam free of charge. Does this mean the federal law requires states to pay for the forensic exam?
What is the effect of the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement?
Does the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement apply to the entire state or only to jurisdictions within the state that have received OVW STOP Program subgrants?
How is the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement different from a "Jane Doe Rape Kit?"
Some states have mandatory medical reporting laws. How does the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement affect these states' laws? Would states following these reporting laws be in compliance with the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement?
How long are states required to keep forensic examination collection kits?
How does the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement affect medical facilities' policies and procedures?
What will be the effect of the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement on law enforcement?
Does the VAWA 2005 requirement affect the military?
How do states comply with the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement?

Q:         What is a "Jane Doe Rape Kit?"

A:         A "Jane Doe Rape Kit" is the common name for the forensic evidence collected during a sexual assault examination of a victim who chooses to remain anonymous.  A "Jane Doe Rape Kit" enables a victim to have forensic evidence collected without revealing identifying information.  Victims are given a code number they can use to identify themselves if they choose to report later, and they are not required to cooperate with law enforcement or criminal justice authorities.  Some states and localities are providing this voluntarily for victims who are not ready to report to law enforcement at the time of the examination.

Q:         What is the new federal law regarding forensic examination?

A:         The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 ("VAWA 2005"), 42 U.S.C. § 3796gg-4(d), provides that states may not "require a victim of sexual assault to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law enforcement in order to be provided with a forensic medical exam, reimbursed for charges incurred on account of such an exam, or both[]" (the "VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement").  Under this provision a state must ensure that victims have access to an exam free of charge or with full reimbursement, even if the victim chooses not to report the crime to the police or otherwise cooperate with the criminal justice system or law enforcement authorities.  Prior to VAWA 2005, states were required to ensure access to such exams free of charge or with full reimbursement but could condition the exams on cooperation with law enforcement.

Q:         Are states, under VAWA 2005, required to institute "Jane Doe Rape Kits" or "anonymous reporting"?

A:         No, states are not required to institute anonymous reporting.  Some states are instituting it voluntarily.  Under VAWA 2005, states are only required to ensure that a victim receives access to a forensic examination free of charge regardless of whether the victim chooses to report a sexual assault (for any reason) to law enforcement or cooperate with the criminal justice system. 

Q:         Who has to comply with the VAWA 2005 requirement regarding forensic examination?

A:         All states must comply with the VAWA 2005 requirement regarding forensic examination by the statutory deadline of January 5, 2009, in order to be eligible to receive STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (STOP Program) funds. 

Q:         VAWA requires a sexual assault victim to have access to an exam free of charge.  Does this mean the federal law requires states to pay for the forensic exam?

A:         Under 42 U.S.C. § 3796gg-4, a State is not entitled to funds under the STOP Program unless the State or another governmental entity "incurs the full out-of-­pocket cost of forensic medical exams . . . for victims of sexual assault."  This means that, if no other governmental entity or insurance carrier pays for the exam, states are required to pay for forensic exams if they wish to receive STOP Program funds.  The goal of this provision is to ensure that the victim is not required to pay for the exam. 

Q:         What is the effect of the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement?

A:         The effect of the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement is to allow victims time to decide whether to pursue their case.  A sexual assault is a traumatic event.  Some victims are unable to decide whether they want to cooperate with law enforcement in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault. Because forensic evidence can be lost as time progresses, such victims should be encouraged to have the evidence collected as soon as possible without deciding to initiate a report.  This provision ensures victims receive timely medical treatment.

Q:         Does the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement apply to the entire state or only to jurisdictions within the state that have received OVW STOP Program subgrants?

A:         The VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement applies to the entire state. 

Q:         How is the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement different from a "Jane Doe Rape Kit?"

A:         The VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement does not mandate anonymity. 

Q:         Some states have mandatory medical reporting laws.  How does the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement affect these states' laws?  Would states following these reporting laws be in compliance with the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement?

A:         These states would be in compliance with the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement as long as the victim retains the ability to choose not to cooperate with law enforcement or the criminal justice system and receives a forensic examination free of charge or with full reimbursement.

Q:         How long are states required to keep forensic examination collection kits?

A:         VAWA 2005 does not address this issue.  The storage and retention of forensic evidence collection kits varies from state to state. 

Q:         How does the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement affect medical facilities' policies and procedures?

A:         Each state that receives STOP Program funds may develop its own means to reimburse medical facilities or victims for these examinations.  A state's procedure should ensure that medical facilities that offer forensic examinations will provide those examinations for every patient that requests one regardless of whether the patient chooses to report a sexual assault to law enforcement. 

Q:         What will be the effect of the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement on law enforcement?

A:         Many victims refuse to undergo examinations because they are not ready to report the sexual assault to the police.  Advocates for sexual assault victims maintain that the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement will encourage more victims to undergo examinations directly following the crime, thereby preserving forensic evidence for future prosecutions when victims are ready to cooperate with law enforcement.  Jurisdictions that have implemented anonymous reporting, including the U.S. Military, have found this to be true. 

Q:         Does the VAWA 2005 requirement affect the military?

A:         The Department of Defense has separate and distinct reporting policies and procedures from the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement.  For more information about these policies and procedures, please visit http://www.sapr.mil/HomePage.aspx?Topic=Sexual%20Assault&PageName=Reporting.htm

Q:         How do states comply with the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement?

A:         OVW offers technical assistance to assist states in complying with the VAWA 2005 forensic examination requirement.  OVW funds the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), who will provide ongoing training and technical assistance regarding the forensic examination requirement. Information on MCASA's VAWA Forensic Compliance Project is available on MCASA's website at http://www.mcasa.org/C/4/C4.htm.  States requiring technical assistance can also contact MCASA by telephone at (410) 974-4507.

For further information on forensic examination requirements and other STOP Program requirements, please visit http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/docs/FAQ_FINAL_nov_21_07.pdf.  Specific information regarding forensic examination requirements begins on page 22.

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Faith-Based and Community Organization Resources Fact Sheet

ONLINE FEDERAL RESOURCES:

FEDERALLY-FUNDED HOTLINES:

  • If you, or someone you know, are a victim of domestic violence, please call:
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.ndvh.org
      • 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
      • 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

  • If you, or someone you know, are a victim of sexual assault, please call:
    • Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) : www.rainn.org
      To be connected to the rape crisis center near you, dial
      • 1-800- 656-HOPE (4073)
    • National Sexual Violence Resource Center : www.nsvrc.org

  • If you, or someone you know, are a victim of stalking, please call:
    • Stalking Resource Center Hotline: www.ncvc.org
      • 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255)
      • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST

  • If you, or someone you know, are a victim of dating violence, please call:
    • National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: www.loveisrespect.org
      • 1-866-331-9474
      • 1-866-331-8453 (TTY)
      • You can also chat live on-line with a trained Peer Advocate from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. (CST) daily.

OTHER RESOURCES:

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What Faith Leaders Can Do Fact Sheet

BECOME a safe place.
Make your place of worship a safe place where victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence can come for help and healing. Display materials that include local and state hotlines for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence victims.

EDUCATE the congregation.
Provide ways for members of the congregation to learn as much as they can about domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence. Include information in monthly newsletters, on bulletin boards, and in marriage preparation classes. Sponsor educational seminars for your congregation on violence against women.

SPEAK out.
Use the pulpit to talk about domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence. As a faith leader, you can have a powerful impact on people’s attitudes and beliefs.

LEAD by example.
Volunteer to serve on the board of directors at a local domestic violence or sexual assault program or attend a training to become a crisis volunteer.

OFFER space.
Provide meeting space for educational seminars or weekly support groups or serve as a supervised visitation site when parents need to safely visit their children.

PARTNER with existing resources.
Include your local domestic violence or sexual assault program in donations and community service projects. Adopt a shelter for which your place of worship provides material support, or provide similar support to families as they rebuild their lives following a shelter stay.

PREPARE to be a resource.
Seek out training from professionals in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence.

INTERVENE.
If you suspect violence is occurring in a relationship or in a family, speak to each person separately. If you suspect an individual is being or has been victimized, speak to them privately. Help the victim plan for safety. Refer individuals to the community resources available to assist them. Couples’ counseling may compromise the safety of the victim. Advocate for the rights of and safety for victims and accountability for perpetrators.

SUPPORT professional training.
Encourage and support training and education for clergy and lay leaders, chaplains, and seminary students to increase awareness about domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence.

Adapted from:
Ending Violence Against Women, An Agenda for the Nation
The National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women, 2000.

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