Amata Highlights $343,065 OVW Grant for Efforts in American Samoa

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting notice of $343,065 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Justice for the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic and Sex Violence.

"Congratulations once again to Fuatino Jennifer Tofaeono and everyone involved through the Alliance in providing these services, and thank you for the efforts to ensure grants made available federally then reach American Samoa," said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. "It's important to protect the vulnerable, prevent crime, educate people, and provide needed services to victims."

The one-year grant, covering the fiscal year ahead beginning October 1st, is from the DOJ's Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) as part of the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions program.

The OVW State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program, authorized by Congress, supports the work of state and territory domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, through two set asides.

Grant funds authorized under the STOP set-aside may be used for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Coordinating state and territory victim services activities.

2. Collaborating and coordinating with federal, state, territory, and local entities engaged in violence against women activities.

Grant funds authorized under the SASP set-aside may be used for one or more of the following purposes:

a) Working with local sexual assault programs and other providers of direct services to encourage appropriate responses to sexual assault within the state or territory.

b) Working with judicial or law enforcement agencies to encourage appropriate responses to sexual assault cases.

c) Working with courts, child protective services agencies, and children's advocates to develop appropriate responses to child custody and visitation issues when sexual assault has been determined to be a factor.

d) Designing and conducting public education campaigns.

e) Planning and monitoring the distribution of grants and grant funds to their state or territory.

f) Collaborating with and informing federal, state, or local public officials and agencies to develop and implement policies to reduce or eliminate sexual assault.

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