Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page 45
or has cohabited as a spouse with the abuser.‖44 This expansive definition could be applied
to many abusive cultic relationships.
C. Interstate Stalking
The VAWA 2000 clarifies certain Interstate Stalking45 provisions of the VAWA 1994 to bring
it more solidly within the ambit of the Commerce Clause of the Federal Constitution.46 The
new provision adds that the offender had the intent to ―kill‖ or to ―intimidate another
person,‖ and both the old and the new provisions include that the offender had the intent to
―injure‖ or ―harass.‖47 In both the old and the new law – the victim must have had a
―reasonable fear of ...death ...or serious bodily injury‖ to herself or immediate family
member.48 Included within the provisions of this crime is the use of ―the mail or any facility
of interstate or foreign commerce.‖49
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the grants to improve processes for entering data regarding
stalking and domestic violence.50 Grants are available for improved local, state, and national
crime information databases.51
D. Legal Assistance for Victims
The VAWA 2000 authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to provide legal assistance
for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.52 Last Fall, $23 million53 in
grants were made available to private nonprofits, Indian tribal governments, and law school
clinics as eligible grantees for Fiscal Year 2001, Congress has appropriated $31.5 million to
Legal Assistance for Victims.54 According to VAWO, the programs help victims with
securing and enforcing protection orders, divorces or separations, spousal
and child support orders and resolving child custody and visitation conflicts.
Funds can also be used to help victims with access to benefits and health
care, housing and employment. In addition, grant funds can be used to
recruit [and] train attorneys who provide pro bono civil legal assistance to
domestic violence victims.55
These services should be useful for women who cannot afford to pay the fee of their
attorney.
The first year that grants were distributed for this purpose was in 1998.56 Since then, there
have been successful clinics and more applications each year.57 The grants were distributed
in all 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia.58
The civil legal services are paired with domestic violence victim advocacy programs59 – for
example, a hospital and a law school clinic.60 Thus far, none of the legal clinics have
targeted a cultic population.61 The deadline for fiscal year 2001 has passed, but posting will
be made December 2001 or January 2002 for grant applications.62 Mental health or legal
professionals may call the Department of Justice to be placed on a mailing list for grant
opportunities, or log onto a website for information.63
E. Shelter Services for Battered Women and Children
VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the shelter services for battered women and children created
under VAWA 1994 at $175 million for fiscal years 2001-2005.64
F. Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence
The VAWA 2000 creates a new grant program for transitional housing assistance for victims
of domestic violence.65 The program is to be administered by the Department of Health and
Human Services authorized at $25 million for fiscal year 2001.66
or has cohabited as a spouse with the abuser.‖44 This expansive definition could be applied
to many abusive cultic relationships.
C. Interstate Stalking
The VAWA 2000 clarifies certain Interstate Stalking45 provisions of the VAWA 1994 to bring
it more solidly within the ambit of the Commerce Clause of the Federal Constitution.46 The
new provision adds that the offender had the intent to ―kill‖ or to ―intimidate another
person,‖ and both the old and the new provisions include that the offender had the intent to
―injure‖ or ―harass.‖47 In both the old and the new law – the victim must have had a
―reasonable fear of ...death ...or serious bodily injury‖ to herself or immediate family
member.48 Included within the provisions of this crime is the use of ―the mail or any facility
of interstate or foreign commerce.‖49
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the grants to improve processes for entering data regarding
stalking and domestic violence.50 Grants are available for improved local, state, and national
crime information databases.51
D. Legal Assistance for Victims
The VAWA 2000 authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to provide legal assistance
for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.52 Last Fall, $23 million53 in
grants were made available to private nonprofits, Indian tribal governments, and law school
clinics as eligible grantees for Fiscal Year 2001, Congress has appropriated $31.5 million to
Legal Assistance for Victims.54 According to VAWO, the programs help victims with
securing and enforcing protection orders, divorces or separations, spousal
and child support orders and resolving child custody and visitation conflicts.
Funds can also be used to help victims with access to benefits and health
care, housing and employment. In addition, grant funds can be used to
recruit [and] train attorneys who provide pro bono civil legal assistance to
domestic violence victims.55
These services should be useful for women who cannot afford to pay the fee of their
attorney.
The first year that grants were distributed for this purpose was in 1998.56 Since then, there
have been successful clinics and more applications each year.57 The grants were distributed
in all 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia.58
The civil legal services are paired with domestic violence victim advocacy programs59 – for
example, a hospital and a law school clinic.60 Thus far, none of the legal clinics have
targeted a cultic population.61 The deadline for fiscal year 2001 has passed, but posting will
be made December 2001 or January 2002 for grant applications.62 Mental health or legal
professionals may call the Department of Justice to be placed on a mailing list for grant
opportunities, or log onto a website for information.63
E. Shelter Services for Battered Women and Children
VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the shelter services for battered women and children created
under VAWA 1994 at $175 million for fiscal years 2001-2005.64
F. Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence
The VAWA 2000 creates a new grant program for transitional housing assistance for victims
of domestic violence.65 The program is to be administered by the Department of Health and
Human Services authorized at $25 million for fiscal year 2001.66
