I am pleased to announce the completion and release of the Final Report of the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women (NAC).  When Attorney General Holder re-chartered the NAC in 2010, his interest was in learning more about solutions to protect children from the harmful consequences of experiencing and witnessing violence in the home.  Developed and written by some of the leading experts in the field, this report provides recommendations for developing innovative and successful interventions with children and teens who witness or are victimized by domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault.

 Protecting these children is extraordinarily important to my staff and me. One of the key ways we currently support children exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking is through child-centered prevention and intervention projects that augment community-based efforts and evidence-informed practices. Grant programs through the Office on Violence Against Women support prevention strategies that involve community organizing, public education and the mobilization of men as mentors and partners in this work.

 My staff and I look forward to learning from the recommendations of this esteemed NAC and have been enriched by our association with this group over the past two years.  The recommendations will not only influence OVW’s work but will be discussed and considered throughout the Department of Justice, at the Department of Health and Human Services, and at the Department of Education.

 I want to publicly thank the NAC members for their collaboration, matchless dedication, and productivity. We were fortunate to have guidance and expertise from the best and brightest in the field. I would also like to thank former OVW Director Susan Carbon for the vision and leadership she showed as the first designated federal official for the NAC.

 I have confidence that this Final Report will truly inspire and help strengthen the federal government’s work alongside many people and organizations in the field who share the goal of protecting children and ending the scourge of violence against women.

Last month I was honored to chair the Department of Justice’s 7^th Annual Government-to-Government Consultation on Violence Against Native Women. During the consultation I had the opportunity to hear from tribal leaders from across the nation who share the department’s commitment to the safety of Native American women and children. The tribal leaders shared stories of devastating violence and inspiring resilience, and I am humbled and honored to be a partner in our joint effort to keep their communities safe. This month OVW joins the President Obama and the Department of Justice in celebrating Native American Heritage Month.

 Native America Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions made by Native Americans, the unique relationship between tribal nations and the federal government, and the contemporary challenges confronting many tribal communities.

Domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking occur at crisis levels for Native women. Rates of domestic violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women are now among the highest in the entire United States. And although we know there is a need for more and better data, what we do know is startling to even the most seasoned prosecutor, police officer, or advocate.

• Nearly half of all Native American women– 46 percent– have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.
• One in three Indian women will, at some point in her life, experience the violence and trauma of rape.
• On some reservations Native American women are murdered at a rate more than 10 times the national average.

Recognizing that this cycle of violence must end, Attorney General Holder has launched a department-wide initiative on public safety in tribal communities, with a particular focus on combating violence against women. The Department of Justice is committed to providing the necessary resources to enhance the federal response to these crimes and to support tribes in their efforts to ensure safety for Native women. Through this initiative, the department has undertaken a series of activities aimed at improving the response to violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women:

• On January 11, 2010, the Deputy Attorney General sent a memo to the United States Attorneys whose districts include Indian Country directing them to work closely with law enforcement to pay particular attention to violence against women in Indian Country and make these crimes a priority.
• The department added 28 new Indian Country Assistant United States Attorneys in FY 2010 to increase prosecution of serious crime.
• The department has created a Violence Against Women Federal/Tribal Prosecution Task Force. Task Force membership includes Assistant United States Attorneys and prosecution representatives from tribal governments.  The Task Force is assisting the department in the development of best practice recommendations and resource materials concerning the prosecution of violence against women crimes in Indian country.
• OVW has established a national clearinghouse on the sexual assault of Native women. This project will offer a one-stop shop where tribes can request free on-site training and technical assistance on a host of topics related to sexual assault.
• In FY09, OVW provided funding for a project to address the issue of collecting and preserving sexual assault evidence in rural and geographically isolated tribal communities. The SAFESTAR Project features a novel approach to this issue by highlighting the use of community-based lay health care providers, such as traditional midwives, medicine people, and community health aides to collect and preserve forensic evidence in sexual assault cases.
• The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) provides support to enhance American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities’ capacity to provide high-quality multidisciplinary services and support for adult and child victims of sexual assault through the AI/AN Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)–Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Initiative.
• OVW recently released a solicitation for the National Tribal Protection Order Registry Initiative. This initiative will provide timely access to accurate data for Indian tribal governments related to individuals who are the subject of a criminal or civil protection order issued by tribal courts. The registry will also provide participating tribes with the opportunity to share information about alleged domestic violence offenders with other tribal jurisdictions nationwide. For any interested applicants, this solicitation closes December 18, 2012.
• In June OVW announced the selection of four tribes for a Violence Against Women Tribal Special U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Initiative. The OVW Tribal SAUSA program, based on successful programs initiated by U.S. Attorneys across the country, will train eligible tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violence against women criminal offense is prosecuted in tribal court, federal court or both.  The program enables tribal prosecutors to bring violence against women cases in federal court and to serve as co-counsel with federal prosecutors on felony investigations and prosecutions of offenses arising out of their respective tribal communities.

In addition to these activities the Justice Department recognizes that the legal framework for criminal jurisdiction in Indian country is complicated and undermines safety for Native women. This is why the Department formally and publicly recommended to Congress new Federal legislation intended to fill gaps in our criminal-justice system, and to better protect women in tribal communities from violent crime. The proposed amendments to VAWA consist of three components – reaffirming tribal criminal jurisdiction over certain non-Indian offenders who commit acts of domestic violence or violate protection orders; clarifying tribal civil authority to issue and enforce protection orders regardless of the race of the offender; and bringing Federal criminal offenses more in line with state domestic violence laws.

The overarching theme of this three-part legislative package is to focus on the seriousness and dangerousness of the violence, not the racial identity of an alleged perpetrator. A tribe’s ability to protect its citizens from violence should not depend on the race of the assailant, but rather on one of the most basic and fundamental functions of any government – the responsibility to protect its people.

As we reflect on the devastating impact violence against Native women has throughout tribal communities we have reason to hope. We are optimistic because we know we have federal leaders who are committed to addressing this issue. We have strong partnerships with tribal governments. And, we have a shared vision of a future where all tribes thrive as prosperous, vibrant, and safe communities.  OVW has made the safety of Native American and Alaska Native women a top priority. We will continue to work with tribal communities to decrease the number of Native American women who fall victim to violence; to strengthen the capacity of tribal governments to respond to violent crimes; and to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.

 In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy,  recovery efforts continue throughout the Northeast region, especially in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Over the past several days, OVW staff has been in contact with our grantees and state coalitions to better understand the challenges you are facing and the pressing needs of your programs.

 Last week I issued a statement easing reporting requirements for OVW grantees in the major federal disaster areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Since then FEMA has declared Rhode Island a major federal disaster area and as such I have directed the following:

1. Grantees in the major federal disaster areas – currently New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island – whose grants were scheduled to end on October 31, 2012, will be granted an automatic no-cost extension of 30 calendar days in order to provide them with additional time to request a further extension or begin the closeout process.
2. Grantees in the major federal disaster areas – currently New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island – who were unable to meet the Financial Status Reporting deadline of October 30, 2012 and as a result have had their funds frozen, will have access to their funds restored and be granted an automatic 30-day extension to submit the required reports for the last quarter of fiscal year 2012. If you anticipate a further delay and are unable to submit your Financial Status Reports by November 30, 2012 you can request an additional 30-day extension by contacting OVW GFMD at 1.888.514.8556 or OVW.GFMD@usdoj.gov.
3. Grantees in the major federal disaster areas – currently New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island – are allowed to use OVW grant funds to pay overtime pay without prior approval when necessary to cope with emergencies resulting from natural disasters.

New Jersey, New York and Connecticut grantees have already been granted extensions, and OVW anticipates these changes to be in effect for Rhode Island by the end of the week. Please be assured that our staff is available should you need to request additional support.

We are committed to ensuring that our partners, stakeholders, and grantees impacted by this disaster can focus their time and energy on rebuilding their communities, and we hope these actions will allow you to focus on recovery and rebuilding. Our thoughts are with everyone during this difficult time. 

Sincerely,

Bea Hanson

Acting Director

Last week communities across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast braced for an historic storm as Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the East Coast. Those of us in Washington, D.C. watched with shock and sadness as the storm left a path of destruction throughout New Jersey, Connecticut and my home state of New York.

 As recovery efforts began President Obama delivered remarks at the headquarters of the American Red Cross, directing all federal agencies:

 ”… to figure out how we do something. I want you to cut through red tape. I want you to cut through bureaucracy. There’s no excuse for inaction at this point. I want every agency to lean forward and to make sure that we are getting the resources where they need — where they’re needed as quickly as possible.”

 As we think about our partners, stakeholders, and grantees impacted by this disaster, we want to understand the challenges you are facing and ensure that you can access OVW resources that may be useful during this time. To that end, I have directed the following:

1. Grantees in the major federal disaster areas – currently New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – whose grants were scheduled to end on October 31, 2012, will be granted an automatic no-cost extension of 30 calendar days in order to provide them with additional time to request a further extension or begin the closeout process.
2. Grantees in the major federal disaster areas – currently New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – who were unable to meet the Financial Status Reporting deadline of October 30, 2012 and as a result have had their funds frozen, will have access to their funds restored and be granted an automatic 30-day extension to submit the required reports for the last quarter of fiscal year 2012. If you anticipate a further delay and are unable to submit your Financial Status Reports by November 30, 2012 you can request an additional 30-day extension by contacting OVW GFMD at 1.888.514.8556 or OVW.GFMD@usdoj.gov.

OVW anticipates these changes to be in effect this week. Please be assured that our staff is available should you need to request additional support.

 As the Northeast braces for another storm, President Obama continues to work with federal agencies in support of the ongoing response and recovery efforts. We are committed to our partners, stakeholders and grantees, and we hope these actions will allow you to focus on the top priorities in your community and your families. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragic storm.

 Sincerely,

Bea Hanson

Acting Director

The Office on Violence Against Women, along with the entire Department of Justice, the President and the Vice-President, is proud to join with our partners in the field to recognize October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you have not already seen it, take a moment to read President Obama’s 2012 National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation which asserts the strong commitment of this Administration.

Over the past year, we have continued to witness improvements in responses to domestic violence in communities across the country. We have seen the development of specialized domestic violence law enforcement units and prosecution programs, programs that meet the needs of underserved communities, and programs that target children who have witnessed violence at home – just to name a few. But we know there is still more to do.

It is the commitment of those of you who work every day to support the woman who has been abused by her partner, the child who has witnessed violence in his or her home, or to ensure that the abuser is held accountable for his behavior, that keeps the issue of domestic violence at the forefront of our minds. Much of this work is unsung. But at least once a year, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we ask the country to pause and say thank you to the people who have made it a mission in their lives to support and serve victims and to stop the scourge of domestic violence.

At OVW, we recognize that an effective response to domestic violence must emphasize core support services for victims. Building safe homes and safe communities requires access to safe shelter and housing, law enforcement protection, access to justice and economic opportunity. Victim service agencies play an integral role in the lives of domestic violence victims and survivors, and OVW has prioritized deepening and strengthening these service agencies. Without these protections, victims are potentially forced to make life-threatening decisions.

The Obama Administration and Vice-President Biden are committed to ending the tragedy of domestic violence-related homicides. There are several evidenced-based models for successfully identifying high-risk cases, intervening, and, ultimately, reducing domestic violence-related homicides. These successful models need to be replicated, and that is the goal of our recently released Domestic Violence Homicide Reduction Call for Concept Papers. We encourage anyone interested in applying to review the posting on our website and submit applications by October 16, 2012.

As we amass more data and tools to help break the cycle of violence in our communities, we are able to identify more effective interventions in combating domestic violence. However, we must be continually aware that there is no universal approach to combating violence against women. We need to ensure that the approaches we develop and use to address domestic violence are based in the cultures and experiences of the victims with whom we are working. This is why I am excited to participate in the Annual Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Tulsa, OK and “Bridging the Gap: Creating a Community of Support for Survivors with Disabilities” in Louisville, KY. With alarming rates of domestic violence among America Indian/Alaskan Native women, women with disabilities and Deaf women, events such as these enhance awareness and strengthen community responses for victims of domestic violence.

In the era of a twenty-four hour news cycle and the explosion of social media, more people are aware of domestic violence than at any point in the past. In recent years, we have witnessed the development and accessibility of emerging technologies like on-line advocacy that help victims of domestic violence. We also know that domestic violence is a complex crime and victim service providers have an increasingly difficult task in maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of the victims they serve. In that vein, OVW is excited to announce the release of a new toolkit developed in partnership with the National Network To End Domestic Violence’s Safety Net Project and The Confidentiality Institute. The “Technology and Confidentiality Toolkit” will help victim service organizations, programs, and partnerships address concerns of confidentiality and privacy in their work to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.

Raising awareness and increasing knowledge about domestic violence provides us with an opportunity to empower and support victims. We must seize this moment to build community alliances and collaborations, and to provide all victims of domestic violence with the critical and life-saving services they need.

At the Office on Violence Against Women, we remain committed to our programs and our partners. As we continue working to end violence by supporting victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and preventing abuse before it starts, we know we cannot do it alone. We all have a role in this together – at work, at home and in our communities.

And a special message for practitioners on the front-line: You have an important role in the nation’s response to domestic violence. I am honored to work side by side with you and thank you for your continued commitment to victims of domestic violence.

We remind all those in need of assistance, or other concerned friends and individuals, to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

 It’s the time for students to head back to school.  We are often reluctant to acknowledge and talk about risks and safety at school – especially related to sexual assault and dating violence, but we must.

One of President Obama’s goals for educators nationwide is to “produce a higher percentage of college graduates than any other country in the world by the end of the next decade.”  At the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and the U.S. Department of Education, we know that students cannot learn if they don’t feel safe.  We need to attend to their basic security needs and place increased focus on primary prevention of violence and victimization in early adolescence – or even earlier.

Unfortunately for young people, sexual harassment and sexual violence are too common on many school campuses.  There are victims of all ages, in areas all across the country. 

The majority of sexual victimization starts early in life:

• Approximately 80 percent of female victims experienced their first rape before the age of 25 and almost half experienced the first rape before age 18 (30 percent between 11-17 years old and 12 percent at or before the age of 10).
• 28 percent of male victims of rape were first raped when they were 10 years old or younger.
• About 35 percent of women who were raped as minors were also raped as adults compared to 14 percent of women without an early rape history.

This data, extracted from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey  conducted in 2010, highlights the crucial importance of preventing sexual violence before it occurs.

Studies show that a significant amount of dating violence takes place on school grounds.  Teachers have opportunities to observe interactions between dating partners that other adults, like parents, might not see.  Educators play an important role in their school communities as they impart knowledge and serve as trusted role models for their students.

Title IX is the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions.  Under Title IX, a school that receives federal funds may be held liable if it knows about and ignores sexual harassment or assault in its programs or activities.  Schools can be held responsible in court whether the harassment or assault is committed by a faculty member, staff, or student.  To assist educators with their sexual assault and harassment prevention efforts, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” and guidance on sexual harassment which outlines a school’s responsibilities under the law. 

The enforcement of Title IX is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  A recent example of the department’s response to sexual assault allegations is the proposed consent decree filed by the Department of Justice and the Allentown, Pennsylvania School District addressing multiple complaints of sexual assault of students at Central Elementary School.

 In July 2009, the department intervened in a lawsuit filed by several students against the district and conducted an extensive investigation.  The department alleged that sexual assaults occurred on at least five occasions and that the district was made aware of each incident immediately after it occurred.  The department also alleged that despite this notice, the district did not take appropriate action, and in some cases took no action, to prevent the incidents from recurring.  Further, the department alleged that the district had failed to adopt and implement sexual harassment policies and procedures as required by federal law which would have prevented the continued sexual assault of students. 

The Allentown School District has taken steps to address these issues and to provide a safe environment for students.  Leaders from the district have called this a top priority.  The Department of Justice and the district worked collaboratively to draft the consent decree to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in the district. 

At OVW, we are committed to preventing these abuses and assaults on students.  As much as we support the dedicated work of our partners in the Civil Rights Division, we believe these tragedies can be avoided before investigations and lawsuits become necessary. 

One way we plan to provide support and services for young people is through a new grant program:  the Consolidated Grant and Technical Assistance Program to Address Children and Youth Experiencing Domestic and Sexual Violence and Engage Men and Boys as Allies, or the Consolidated Youth Grant Program.  This innovative program supports activities that were previously funded under four smaller OVW grant programs.  Under that model, funding streams for prevention and intervention services, for programs targeting younger children, for programs targeting older youth, and for prevention efforts involving boys and men were separated.  

The Consolidated Youth Grant Program creates a unique opportunity to provide support for both prevention and intervention services; for serving children, youth and young adults; and for mobilizing men and boys to work as allies with women and girls to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.  The program supports comprehensive child- and youth-centered projects that maximize community-based efforts and evidence-informed practices.  Projects supported under this program must address prevention, intervention, treatment and response.  Applications for the FY 2012 Consolidated Youth Grant Program are due October 24, 2012.

This new Consolidated Youth Grant Program will compliment the historic work OVW has done on college campuses through our Campus Program which encourages a coordinated community approach that enhances victim safety and assistance, and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable.

Sexual assault is widely considered to be the most underreported violent crime in America.  Most sexual assaults on school campus are committed by an acquaintance of the victim, which explains, in part, why these crimes are so vastly underreported.  At the Department of Justice and OVW, we commit to empower students through education and outreach to identify warning signs; work with school communities to ensure the safety and well being of the students in their care; ensure victims’ and survivors’ rights; and hold their perpetrators – and those that do not comply with federal laws –  accountable.

As educators, administrators, and students head back to school, let us do so with fresh aspirations to create and support safe and healthy learning environments that are free from sexual harassment, assault and dating violence.  We can do this through our example, by identifying behaviors that indicate risk or violation of Title IX, and by educating ourselves and our classrooms on what to do if we encounter incidence of sexual violence.  Working together, we can help our students thrive and we can meet President Obama’s goals for success.