Manchin and Capito Announce More Than $2 Million in Funding to Combat Sexual Assault

Statement

Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced a total of $2,169,679 in funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that will improve West Virginia's ability to combat crime, specifically sexual assault.

The West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information Services (FRIS) will receive $998,879 from the DOJ Office on Violence Against Women. The West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services will receive $1,170,800 from the DOJ Office of Justice Programs to support the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) program.

"Any act of violence is one too many, and fighting on behalf of the victims who are suffering is of the highest priority to the people of West Virginia," Senator Manchin said. "Violence Against Women programs make a tremendous difference in our state and across our nation. They save lives and strengthen communities. They offer protection and create channels of hope. As a staunch supporter of the Violence Against Women Act, I am pleased that these grants will continue to fund innovative, successful programs that provide protection to victims of violence, especially those in remote and geographically isolated areas who face barriers to accessing services."

"Sexual assault and violence against women must be taken very seriously. These grants will help provide critical services to victims of violence and sexual assault, especially those in rural areas of West Virginia who face unique obstacles in their efforts to escape dangerous relationships," said Senator Capito. "As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I fought hard to help fund these programs under the Violence Against Women Act and am confident they will help improve services for victims and prevent future incidents."

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