Collins, King Announce Nearly $900,000 for Houlton Band of Maliseets to Strengthen Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Prevention

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will receive a total of $899,732 over three years from the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice.

“Victims of sexual assault and domestic violence deserve every possible resource to report and prevent these crimes,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “We welcome this investment, which will bolster the Tribal Government’s efforts to stop violence against women and increase safety in the Maliseet community.”

The project’s primary objective is to ensure that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault receive appropriate, culturally specific, and easily accessible confidential responses. The comprehensive victim services include advocacy, emergency shelter, transitional housing assistance, legal assistance, support group, a 24-hour crisis line, referrals, education, outreach, hospital accompaniment. The project will also provide for education and a coordinated community response.