Collins, King Announce $300,000 for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Advocacy in Immigrant Community

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Immigration Resource Center of Maine (formerly the United Somali Women of Maine) in Lewiston will receive $300,000 from the Office on Violence Against Women through the Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services Program.

“Every victim of sexual assault and domestic violence deserves the resources to report and prevent these crimes,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “The Immigration Resource Center of Maine’s culturally specific services ensure that members of Maine’s East African community have the tools, support, and education they need to live free from fear.”

Through this grant, the Immigration Resource Center of Maine (IRCofMe) will create, maintain, and expand its culturally specific sexual assault services for East African sexual assault victims living in Southern Maine. The Immigrant Resource Center Of Maine was formerly known as United Somali Women of Maine, and changed its name in 2016 to reflect the full scope of services provided. The organization’s mission is to support refugee and immigrant communities through culturally and linguistically-sensitive services that include education, training and victim services.