Congressman Bennie G. Thompson Announces More Than $2.66 Million in Department of Justice Grants to Support Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in Mississippi

BOLTON, MS - Congressman Bennie G. Thompson today announced that the Mississippi State Department of Health has been awarded more than $2.66 million from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to strengthen services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking throughout Mississippi.

The federal funding includes two formula grants totaling $2,666,465 that will support victim services, improve coordination among criminal justice agencies, and enhance statewide efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women.

The awards include:

• STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program - $1,820,884 to support coordinated statewide efforts that strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim service organizations in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The funding will help improve the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of violent crimes against women while increasing victim safety and access to services.
• SASP (Sexual Assault Services Formula Program) - $845,581 to provide intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, crisis support, and related services for adult, youth, and child survivors of sexual assault. The grant will support rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations that provide direct services and assistance to survivors and their families throughout Mississippi.