Rep. Axne Announces $1.7 Million in STOP Grants for Survivors of Violence, Abuse

September 17, 2020
Press Release
Axne championed increasing this funding and renewing the Violence Against Women Act, which remains stalled in the Senate

Today, U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced $1,731,703 in new Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors (STOP) formula grants for the Iowa Department of Justice.

These grants are used to strengthen investigation and prosecution of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking offenses. STOP grants also play a key role in enhancing community services for survivors.

“When I worked for the State of Iowa, I helped the Crime Victims Assistance Unit at the Attorney General’s office where I saw firsthand that Iowa’s local and state agencies need more resources. This STOP grant funding will provide Iowa’s crime task forces, community organizations, and state agencies with the resources they need to better combat and prosecute violence against women,” said Rep. Axne. “Programs like STOP grants are critical to curbing violence in our communities, and I hope my Senate colleagues understand that the lack of a Violence Against Women Act vote means there are survivors, children, and families who won’t have access to the assistance they need and deserve. It’s high time the Senate quits stalling and reauthorizes VAWA with more funding for communities across our country.”

The STOP Formula Grant Program is intended to improve the capacity of local communities to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat sexual crimes as well as develop and strengthen victim services.

In April 2019, the House advanced a reauthorization of VAWA that included Rep. Axne’s amendment to increase STOP grant funding for community organizations by $20 million.

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act is still awaiting a reauthorization vote in the Senate.

“I’ve been fighting for these grants here in Congress because they put money and resources into protecting families. STOP grants provide our communities with the proper tools and resources they need to better investigate, combat, and prosecute domestic, intimate partner, and sexual violence,” said Rep. Axne. “For many of those who experience these types of violence, they need a community of support. STOP grants ensure we have resources in our communities dedicated to protecting and supporting survivors.”

Although the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) addresses the fact that women are statistically far likelier to be victims of domestic violence, VAWA programs and services are available to victims regardless of gender.

Anyone who is experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence is encouraged to reach out to the Children & Families of Iowa’s Domestic Violence Hotline and call 1-800-942-0333.

VAWA Background:

The landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994 codified Congress’s commitment to advancing effective strategies for preventing and responding to domestic and sexual violence, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring safety, autonomy, and justice for victims. 

On March 7, Rep. Axne co-sponsored the bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which expired on September 30, 2018. The VAWA reauthorization will support key provisions of the landmark legislation, provide additional resources, and address gaps in current law to better protect women in Iowa and across America from violence. 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of VAWA’s original enactment.