U.s. congressman Rodney davis proudly representing the 13th district of illinois

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill) today announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Violence Against Women has awarded grants to the University of Illinois and Madison County. The funding will be used to combat sexual assault and domestic violence. These funds are authorized through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

In April 2019, Davis crossed party lines and voted in favor of VAWA, which passed the house 263-158. Davis was one of 33 Republicans to vote for the bill. Davis led an effort this year to again re-authorize VAWA and increase funding and flexibility to meet Coronavirus-related demands. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 3 women experience some sort of sexual violence in their lifetime in America.

"These grants will increase safety for women on campus and in our communities," said Davis. "I have advocated for more VAWA funding as the Coronavirus increases the need to meet new challenges and enhance these programs to promote safety for women everywhere. Now is the time to work in a bipartisan way to reauthorize VAWA, grant flexibility to these programs, and provide additional funding to help cover these new costs to shelters."

Grant Details:

University of Illinois, Champaign, $300,000

This grant is through the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program. The program provides a unique opportunity for institutions of higher education to establish multidisciplinary approaches to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campuses.

UIUC, in partnership with the Office of the State’s Attorney and Rape Advocacy, Counseling, and Education Services (RACES), will implement a comprehensive violence against women project on campus. Through this initial award, the collaborative partnership will: 1) create a coordinated community response team to oversee all planning and implementation activities; 2) provide prevention programming, including bystander intervention to all students on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; 3) provide ongoing training to all law enforcement on how to effectively respond to these crimes; 4) provide access to 24- hour confidential victim services and advocacy; and 5) conduct ongoing training to all personnel in the campus disciplinary process.

Madison County, Edwardsville, $750,000

This grant is through the Improving Criminal Justice Responses Program. The program enhances victim safety and offender accountability in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by encouraging jurisdictions to work collaboratively with community partners to identify problems and share ideas that will result in effective responses to these crimes.

Madison County, in collaboration with its non-profit, non-governmental victim service provider partner OASIS Women’s Center, to develop a Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT). Specifically, this project will: 1) support a DVRT Resource Coordinator to improve court infrastructure and coordination of resources; 2) support a law enforcement officer for the Alton City Police Department; 3) support a law enforcement officer for the Granite County Police Department; 4) develop policies and procedures for investigating domestic violence (DV) cases; 4) train law enforcement officers on investigating DV cases; and 5) support servicer for victims of DV and sexual assault.

Related:

4/13/20: Davis Leads 114 Members in Support of Domestic Violence Shelters

10/21/19: Davis Announces $502k in DOJ Violence Against Women Grants

3/15/19: Davis Introduces Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act

9/10/18: Republican Main Street Members Urge Bipartisan Reauthorization of VAWA

4/23/15: Davis Participates in “It’s On Us” Rally with VP Biden at University of Illinois

2/12/13: Republicans Send Letter to Leadership Urging VAWA Reauthorization