Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2007

Schumer Announces Over $80,000 Coming To The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Federal Funds will Support New York State Coalition Efforts to Provide Top-Notch Victim Services

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault in Albany will be awarded $83,045 as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Grants to State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program. These federal funds will be used to support their efforts to provide top-notch victim services.

“We need to send an unequivocal message that violence against women is unacceptable,” Schumer said “Battered women should never have to think twice about reporting their abusers, and they should always have a place to go. Families torn apart by this painful experience need to have access to programs that will help them heal and move forward. This grant will provide these critical services for domestic violence victims across New York State.”

The Grants to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coalitions Program supports state coalition efforts to coordinate victim services within their state as well as collaborate with other federal, state and local entities to respond to violence against women issues affecting their jurisdictions. Statewide domestic violence coalitions provide comparable support to battered women’s shelters for victims of domestic violence and victim service programs.

In 2005, Schumer fought to reauthorize the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Schumer supported efforts to strengthen the VAWA by expanding grant programs, supporting rural areas, and protecting victims. The original VAWA bill was authored by Schumer in the House of Representatives. This legislation will renew several successful programs and provides funding for training, education and outreach so that state and federal agencies can do a better job of preventing violence against women and assisting victims of domestic violence. State coalitions have played a critical role in advancing the goals of VAWA, serving as a collective voice to end violence against women through collaboration with federal, state and local organizations.

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