Article: Maryland addresses violent crimes against women

March 16, 9:00 AMHarford County Education Headlines ExaminerRichard Webster

Governor Martin O’Malley announced yesterday that Maryland will receive $2,474,638 under the federal STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. The program provides funds for Services, Training, Officers and Prosecutors (STOP) in implementing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
The total amount awarded to all U.S. states and territories under VAWA is $148,891,625.
“One of our most solemn obligations as public servants is the safety of the citizens we serve,” said Governor O’Malley. “Last year, 53 individuals died as a result of domestic violence in Maryland and, of those, 27 were killed with a firearm. Programs funded through the STOP program help us ensure that women throughout Maryland feel safe and secure. I want to thank Senator Barbara Mikulski and the leaders of our federal delegation for their work in securing these funds.”
“Domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking are horrific problems affecting thousands of Marylanders and millions of individuals across our country,” said Senator Mikulski, an original champion of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee (CJS), which is responsible for funding federal VAWA programs administered by the Justice Department. “The STOP Program has proven a valuable resource in the fight to curb domestic violence and sexual assault in Maryland. These funds provide victims advocacy providers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and the courts with the most comprehensive and effective means of improving victim safety and holding offenders accountable for their crimes. I will continue my fight to put funds in the federal checkbook to fund these important programs.”
STOP VAWA is centered on the needs of victims. It encourages the development and improvement of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes against women and to enhance advocacy and victim services in cases of violent crimes against women.
In Maryland, law enforcement priorities for the funds include specialized training for officers in domestic violence, sexual assault and dating violence cases; specialized units or positions such as bilingual officers and domestic violence investigators; and implementation of policy and personnel relating to protective orders and firearms. For prosecutors, the funding provides among other services, bilingual and culturally competent staff; training in domestic violence and the appointment of prosecutors to focus full-time on domestic violence cases.