Seattle – Organizations dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are receiving more than $3.6 million in federal grant funds to enhance their programs, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The largest award, $750,000, goes to the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence to enhance services for survivors in rural areas of the state. The funds support culturally appropriate programs in Skagit and Whatcom counties in Western Washington as well as Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties on the east side of the state.
“On this day when we wear purple to show support for the survivors of domestic violence, I am pleased to highlight the DOJ funding coming to Washington for the organizations that work to help and heal those who suffer abuse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “The Office on Violence Against Women targets these federal dollars where they can do the most good, and it is a tribute to the quality of the programs in Washington that so many organizations successfully competed for these grants.”
In addition to the grant to the Washington Coalition against Domestic Violence, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project received $500,000 to provide services in Adams, Benton, Chelan, Franklin, Grant, Okanogan, and Yakima counties.
The five other grant recipients include:
The Atlantic Street Center, Seattle – $575,000 – to enhance advocacy and therapeutic services in King and Pierce Counties with specific emphasis on communities of color.
YMCA of Clark County, Vancouver, Washington – $500,000 – to provide housing and supportive services for victims of domestic violence.
Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center, Shelton, Washington – $500,000 to provide services in Mason County, including advocacy and outreach, training for first responders and language services.
Consejo Counseling & Referral Inc., Renton, Washington, – $400,000 to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and therapeutic services to Hispanic/Latino survivors in King County.
The Yarrow Project, Normandy Park, Washington – $385,000 – to provide services to indigenous survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking.
October marks the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence, dating violence, and intimate partner violence can have long-lasting impacts and consequences. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes; however, rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people, and people with disabilities. Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.