Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2002, Page 46
G. National Domestic Violence Hotline
VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the National Domestic Violence Hotline67 at $2 million for fiscal
years 2001-05.68
H. Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program 69 Congress
has appropriated $33.9 million for Fiscal Year 2001.70 Last Fall, ninety-four communities in
41 states and the District of Columbia received nearly $29 million to continue their efforts in
arresting batterers and in enforcing protection orders.71 The grants program ―fosters
collaboration among law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and victim advocates to
treat domestic violence as a serious crime.‖72 Among other things, grants are distributed for
programs that aim to: facilitate widespread enforcement of protection orders develop and
strengthen policies and training for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary on domestic
violence and sexual assault against older individuals and individuals with disabilities and
strengthen legal advocacy services for victims of domestic violence.
For example, these funds are being used to educate criminal justice personnel about
domestic violence and how to improve the handling of domestic violence cases.73 Computer
tracking systems are being developed and coordinated to ensure improved communication
among police, prosecutors and the courts. Funds are also being used to create specialized
units in police departments and prosecutors‘ offices that focus on domestic violence.74
These grant programs were first started in fiscal year 1998.75 As of last Fall, 176
jurisdictions participated in the program, with at least one jurisdiction in almost every state
receiving funding.76
Thus, individuals seeking to obtain court orders of protection from an abusive partner, in or
out of a cultic relationship, should have an easier time than in the past in obtaining it and
having it recognized. The VAWA 1994 and the VAWA 2000 sought to encourage states to
respect protective orders from sister states.77
I. Grants to Combat Violent Crimes Against Women
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the Combat Violent Crimes Against Women programs at $185
million for the fiscal years 2001-2005 78 Congress has appropriated $209.7 million for Fiscal
Year 2001.79 STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women
Formula Grants are one of the largest funding programs in this area.80 Among other things,
the VAWA 2000 establishes four new purposes for which funds may be used:
1) to support statewide, coordinated community responses 2) to train
sexual assault forensic medical personnel examiners 3) to develop, enlarge,
and strengthen programs to assist law enforcement, prosecutors, courts and
others to address and recognize the needs and circumstances of older and
disabled individuals who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
and 4) to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault in immigration matters.81
For instance, STOP funds may be used to ―develop domestic violence units in police
departments and prosecutors‘ offices and develop computerized systems to identify and
track arrests and protection orders.‖82
STOP grants have been awarded to all ―50 states, the District of Columbia and five
territories to encourage cooperation among law enforcement, prosecution and victim service
providers to improve the response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.‖83
VAWA 2000 also provides that courts may be eligible to receive STOP grants.84
G. National Domestic Violence Hotline
VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the National Domestic Violence Hotline67 at $2 million for fiscal
years 2001-05.68
H. Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program 69 Congress
has appropriated $33.9 million for Fiscal Year 2001.70 Last Fall, ninety-four communities in
41 states and the District of Columbia received nearly $29 million to continue their efforts in
arresting batterers and in enforcing protection orders.71 The grants program ―fosters
collaboration among law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges and victim advocates to
treat domestic violence as a serious crime.‖72 Among other things, grants are distributed for
programs that aim to: facilitate widespread enforcement of protection orders develop and
strengthen policies and training for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary on domestic
violence and sexual assault against older individuals and individuals with disabilities and
strengthen legal advocacy services for victims of domestic violence.
For example, these funds are being used to educate criminal justice personnel about
domestic violence and how to improve the handling of domestic violence cases.73 Computer
tracking systems are being developed and coordinated to ensure improved communication
among police, prosecutors and the courts. Funds are also being used to create specialized
units in police departments and prosecutors‘ offices that focus on domestic violence.74
These grant programs were first started in fiscal year 1998.75 As of last Fall, 176
jurisdictions participated in the program, with at least one jurisdiction in almost every state
receiving funding.76
Thus, individuals seeking to obtain court orders of protection from an abusive partner, in or
out of a cultic relationship, should have an easier time than in the past in obtaining it and
having it recognized. The VAWA 1994 and the VAWA 2000 sought to encourage states to
respect protective orders from sister states.77
I. Grants to Combat Violent Crimes Against Women
The VAWA 2000 reauthorizes the Combat Violent Crimes Against Women programs at $185
million for the fiscal years 2001-2005 78 Congress has appropriated $209.7 million for Fiscal
Year 2001.79 STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Violence Against Women
Formula Grants are one of the largest funding programs in this area.80 Among other things,
the VAWA 2000 establishes four new purposes for which funds may be used:
1) to support statewide, coordinated community responses 2) to train
sexual assault forensic medical personnel examiners 3) to develop, enlarge,
and strengthen programs to assist law enforcement, prosecutors, courts and
others to address and recognize the needs and circumstances of older and
disabled individuals who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
and 4) to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault in immigration matters.81
For instance, STOP funds may be used to ―develop domestic violence units in police
departments and prosecutors‘ offices and develop computerized systems to identify and
track arrests and protection orders.‖82
STOP grants have been awarded to all ―50 states, the District of Columbia and five
territories to encourage cooperation among law enforcement, prosecution and victim service
providers to improve the response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.‖83
VAWA 2000 also provides that courts may be eligible to receive STOP grants.84
