Sens. Collins, King Announce More Than $700,000 for Safe Voices, a Domestic Violence Services Organization in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that Safe Voices, a Maine organization dedicated to supporting and empowering those affected by domestic violence, has been awarded a three-year, $737,447 grant through the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women.
“Dedicated organizations like Safe Voices are vital to preventing violence in our homes and in our communities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We are pleased that this funding will support the dedicated advocates at Safe Voices so that they can continue their commendable mission to provide supportive resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Western Maine. This funding will also support a full-time Sexual Assault Advocate at Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services and a full-time Assistant District Attorney, through the DA’s Office, both of whom are partners on this project and will provide critically needed assistance to victims.”
“Safe Voices is thrilled to hear that we have been awarded this grant,” said Elise Johansen, the Executive Director of Safe Voices. “We know that the work to end domestic violence and sexual assault is far from over and this funding will allow us to continue to partner with Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services and the District Attorney’s Office in Oxford County as we work towards enhancing services, fostering a victim-centered system response, and working closely with the seven local law enforcement agencies and sheriff’s department, the legal system, medical professionals, and the community.”
Safe Voices, a non-profit victim service organization serving Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties, has provided emergency and support services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking since 1977. Safe Voices has a network of local community-based offices in Farmington, Lewiston, Norway-South Paris, and Rumford that provide one-on-one advocacy, support groups, children’s services, community resources information and referral, court advocacy, transporting and accommodation for shelter, transitional services, community education, professional trainings, and a 24-hour helpline.
This grant will continue to help Safe Voices increase the availability of services and bolster collaborative efforts for responding to domestic violence and sexual assault cases in Oxford County. Maintaining the staffing capacity to provide advocacy and support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking is critical to meet the increasing demand for supportive services. Notably, the funding will assist in sustaining the case review process that has proven to be an effective method to discuss difficult cases and hold offenders accountable. This comprehensive support for victims will help provide increased safety for victims.
Specifically, this funding will allow Safe Voices to: 1) support one full-time Assistant District Attorney, one full-time Sexual Assault Advocate, two part-time Domestic Violence Advocates, and a Project Coordinator; 2) increase victims’ knowledge of community resources, the justice system and the legal process, and strategies for enhancing safety; 3) work directly with victims and their families affected by a deferred disposition case; 4) assist victims/survivors in developing and implementing a safety plan; 5) identify and address specific needs and gaps in services for culturally specific and underserved populations; 6) develop a protocol for handling and responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims; 7) continue to participate in the Oxford County Domestic Violence Task Force and Sexual Assault Response Team meetings; 8) identify and address training needs; and 9) continue to expand the Advocate-Initiated Response initiative.
The funding was provided through the Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Assistance Program, which implements certain provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Senator Collins was an original cosponsor and Senator King was a cosponsor of the reauthorization of VAWA, which was signed into law on March 7, 2013.
