Established by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, this grant program seeks to develop and implement law enforcement and prosecution strategies to effectively decrease violent crimes against women. Also, these grants help to develop and enhance services provided to the victims of violent crimes.
Eligible applicants include state agencies, public or private nonprofit organizations, units of local governments, Indian tribal governments, nonprofit and nongovernmental victim services programs and legal services programs.
Grant funds are used for multiple purposes, including training law enforcement officers and prosecutors to identify and respond to violent crimes against women; developing, training or expanding specialized law enforcement units; developing and implementing more effective police and prosecution policies, protocols, orders and services specifically dedicated to preventing, identifying and responding to violent crimes against women; developing, installing or expanding data collection and communication systems that link police, prosecutors and courts or identify and track arrests, protection orders, violations of protection orders, prosecutions and convictions of violent crimes against women; developing, expanding or strengthening victim service programs, programs that address stalking and programs that address the needs and circumstances of Indian tribes dealing with violent crimes against women.
The STOP programs operate on the calendar year of January 1st – December 31st. A Request for Applications will usually be issued mid-summer for applicants seeking funding consideration. Funding decisions will depend on the availability of funds. Awards are for a 12-month period.
A 25 percent funding match is required, unless the applicant is a private, nonprofit victim services organization.