Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement Program

The Rural Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Enforcement Program assists rural areas in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving domestic violence and child abuse, as well as enhances the delivery of services to such victims. The Department has already awarded over $30 million for these efforts and expects to award another $20.9 million by the end of September. Rural communities often have to reach farther to respond to domestic violence and child abuse, and thus, Rural funds are important to identifying and securing technology and other means to address the geographic isolation that has limited response and services. Rural grants are also helping communities develop partnerships between child protective services and domestic violence advocates to address the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child abuse, as well as to ensure the safety of battered women and their children.