Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that 14 organizations throughout Maine have received a total of $8,844,705 to support rape crisis centers and assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The funding was awarded through the Office of Violence Against Women, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault receive the resources they need for their safety and wellbeing,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This important investment will provide greater access to necessary services for victims, help strengthen our state’s response to these crimes, and allow Maine organizations to continue to protect the vulnerable members of their communities.”

The funding was allocated as follows:

·       Caring Unlimited Corporation received $596,653 through the Legal Assistance for Victims Program to support victims of domestic and sexual violence who are seeking relief in legal matters arising from their abuse. They also received $497,183 through the Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Against Children and Youth Program to support comprehensive, community-based efforts to develop or expand prevention, intervention, treatment, and response strategies to address the needs of children and youth impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

·       Family Violence Project received $596,527 through the Legal Assistance for Victims Program to support victims of domestic and sexual violence who are seeking relief in legal matters arising from their abuse.

·       Next Step Domestic Violence Project received $600,000 through the Legal Assistance for Victims Program to support victims of domestic and sexual violence who are seeking relief in legal matters arising from their abuse.

·       Partners for Peace received $552,131 through the Legal Assistance for Victims Program to support victims of domestic and sexual violence who are seeking relief in legal matters arising from their abuse. They also received $450,000 through the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program to provide transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and related support services to victims, their children, and other dependents.

·       Penobscot Indian Nation received $433,731 through the Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program to enhance the ability of tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, enhance victim safety, and develop education and prevention strategies. They also received $899,967 through the Indian Tribal Governments Program to enhance the ability of tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, enhance victim safety, and develop education and prevention strategies.

·       Maine Department of Public Safety received $1,083,280 through the STOP Formula Grant Program to support communities, including American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages, in their efforts to develop and strengthen effective responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

·       Maine Department of Health and Human Services received $428,498 through the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program to support rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations or tribal programs that provide services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault.

·       Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence received $98,706 through the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to provide direct support to member rape crisis centers through funding, training and technical assistance, public awareness activities, and public policy advocacy.

·       Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault received $172,076 through the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to provide direct support to rape crisis centers through funding, training and technical assistance, public awareness activities, and public policy advocacy.

·       Hope and Justice Project received $950,000 through the Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program to enhance the safety of rural victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, as well as support projects uniquely designed to address and prevent these crimes in rural areas.

·       Through These Doors received $749,966 through the Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program to enhance the safety of rural victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, as well as support projects uniquely designed to address and prevent these crimes in rural areas.

·       Cumberland County received $394,640 through the Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program to encourage the local government and court to treat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as serious violations of criminal law requiring the coordinated involvement of the entire criminal justice system.

·       Wabanaki Women’s Coalition received $341,347 through the Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program to enhance the ability of tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, enhance victim safety, and develop education and prevention strategies.

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins consistently advocates for funding for VAWA programs. Senator King is an original cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Act of 2019. With Senators Collins and King’s support, Congress passed a funding package for FY 2021 that included $513.5 million for the VAWA programs – an increase of $11 million from FY 2020.