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). 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. Currently, OVW administers one formula grant program
and 17 discretionary grant programs, all of which were established
under VAWA and subsequent legislation. Since its inception, OVW
has awarded nearly $3 billion in grants and cooperative agreements,
and has launched a multifaceted approach to implementing VAWA.
By forging state, local, and tribal partnerships among police,
prosecutors, victim advocates, health care providers, faith leaders,
and others, OVW grant programs help
provide victims with the protection and services they need to pursue
safe and healthy lives, while simultaneously enabling communities
to hold offenders accountable for their violence.
In addition to overseeing 18 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. OVW special initiatives include,
but are not limited to, the Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative,
the President's Family Justice Center Initiative, the Safety for
Indian Women from Sexual Assault Offenders Demonstration Initiative,
and the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Forensic Exams. These
special initiatives allow OVW to explore different innovations
in the violence against women field and share knowledge that can
be replicated nationwide. |