09.23.14

Hoeven Announces More Than $650,000 in DOJ Funds to Fight Violence Against Women in North Dakota

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women has awarded a total of $657,320 to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (MHA) and the North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services (NDCAWS). Grant details are as follows:

• Three Affiliated Tribes, MHA – $449,480 – The funds will be used to develop and strengthen tribal justice systems and improve the tribal government’s ability to respond to instances of violence against Indian women. The grant will also fund programs providing housing assistance, education and support services for women and children victims, as well as develop and promote legislation and policies to enhance practices for responding to violence against Indian women.

• North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services – $207,840 – The grant will support efforts to coordinate services to women and children victims of violence against women. The funds will also be used to foster collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement entities to enhance strategies of response to instances of sexual assault and domestic violence.

“Violence against women requires a coordinated and effective response from the community and law enforcement officials,” Hoeven said. “These funds will better enable law enforcement officials to combat violence against women and will provide resources to support victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the Three Affiliated Tribes and North Dakota.”