Governor Rell: Stimulus Enables ‘Great Strides’

in Battles Against Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state is proposing to use over $2 million in federal stimulus funding and required state funds match for a wide range of programs to prevent violence against women and to help law enforcement prosecute sexual assaults and domestic violence.

            Among other advances, the money would enable domestic violence shelters to be staffed 24 hours a day, fund a training program to address dating violence among teens and pay for medical experts trained to help sexual assault victims cope with the experience and trained to collect evidence necessary to prosecute their attackers.

            “Rape and other violence against women is never a crime of passion – it is an ugly act of brutality as unacceptable as any other offense,” Governor Rell said. “I am proud of the advances our state has made in dealing with these sorts of attacks, including legislation that eliminated the statute of limitations in rape cases where DNA evidence is available. Yet there is always more we can do.

            “This funding will enable Connecticut to make great strides on both sides of the equation – prevention and prosecution,” the Governor said. “Providing 24-hour, seven-day-a-week staffing at domestic violence shelters has long been a shared goal. The plan also includes funding for preventing emerging threats such as the use of cell phones and other digital devices to abuse young people. There is also funding to provide the very best in medical services to assault victims and to keep a half-dozen full-time prosecutors dedicated to sexual assault and domestic violence cases. This is a comprehensive plan that makes the most of the federal and state funding and meets some pressing needs.”

            Under Governor Rell’s proposal, the $2 million in state and federal funds would be divided among four major victim services programs and four major law enforcement and prosecution programs. The victim services programs to be funded are:

• Expanding Staff at Domestic Violence Shelters ($400,000): This funding would add the equivalent of four full-time staffers at three to four sites. Additional funds for this program are also proposed through a separate stimulus fund, the Justice Assistance Grant.
• Teen Dating Violence Outreach ($322,475): As many as 1-in-3 teens experience dating violence yet two-thirds of them will never report it. This funding would pay for separate media campaigns to inform parents and teens of the risks, warning signs and resources available; develop an interactive DVD training program; provide training to schools and teachers; and develop a classroom curriculum to educate students about their rights and resources.
• Competitive Grant Program for Prevention of Abuse in a Digital World ($100,000): Funding would be awarded on a competitive basis to programs offering training in the prevention of abuse involving cell phone cameras, the Internet and other high-tech devices. There is a growing problem involving the distribution of sexually explicit photos or videos of minors taken with webcams and cell phones.
• Competitive Grant Program for Outreach to Underserved Populations ($150,000): Funding would be awarded on a competitive basis to community organizations and others for sexual assault and domestic violence programs conducted among minority and other underserved populations. These “culturally competent” programs would be specifically geared to connect with people who might not be reached through traditional outreach campaigns.

            In addition, the stimulus law makes federal funding available to the state for law enforcement and prosecution programs. Governor Rell is proposing to spend the money on four programs:

• SANE/SAFE Sexual Assault Exams ($350,000): This funding would support medical personnel in the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) programs. These personnel are trained to help assault victims with the psychological trauma of the attack and to collect the evidence needed by law enforcement. Additional funds for this program are also proposed through a separate stimulus fund, the Justice Assistance Grant.
• Sexual Assault Victim Advocates ($205,000): This funding would support two contract positions who would work with police, prison officials and parole officers. The advocates would keep victims aware of probation or parole decisions involving offenders, represent victims in such cases and provide information to police or parole officers concerning risks to victims.
• Web-Based Resources for Court Staff, Prosecutors and Providers ($109,158): Provides education on domestic violence and sexual assault laws, policies and practices and training for professionals in criminal court cases.
• Funding for Prosecutors ($545,793): This funding preserves six full-time domestic violence and sexual assault prosecutors.