A project of the

Institute for Child and Family Policy, Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine

PO Box 15010

400 Congress St.

Portland, ME 04112

207-780-5810

Funded by the

U.S. Office of Justice Programs'

Violence Against Women Office

In December 1999, the Office of Justice Programs’ Violence Against Women Office contracted with the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service’s Institute for Child and Family Policy to gather statistics and vignettes from states, tribes and local communities, highlighting changes that have occurred as a result of funding through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The state profiles represent a description of how this array of funding has affected community efforts to improve the response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Many of the VAWA funded programs are or will be formally evaluated separately or in aggregate by others. In addition, several individual programs have conducted their own evaluations. These profiles are not envisioned as a formal evaluation, but rather as an insight into various communities’ approaches to and successes in meeting the goals of the Violence Against Women Act. This project was designed to be descriptive, to take data and stories from individuals and to capture these within a standard profile. Staff and consultants conducted site visits to twenty-four states. The site visits brought unanticipated rewards and challenges. Program staff and community groups eagerly exchanged information and stories about how these programs had changed the way they are doing their jobs and how their communities have changed the way they are addressing violence against women. At nearly every site, more people than expected came to the meetings and all shared a high level of commitment and enthusiasm.

While each state developed its own approach and response to violence against women, universal themes emerged including those identifying remaining areas of need. In communities that had not previously addressed the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, programs used VAWA funds to provide training, to increase collaboration between agencies, and to pilot new programs. In communities that were already taking steps to address these crimes and help victims, funds were used to broaden and refine existing programs and to initiate new projects. Participants all described the new funding opportunities as invaluable, and the need for continued funding as imperative.

VAWA funds have provided the environment for expansive and creative solutions toward zero tolerance of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Existing services are being enhanced, new training, new policies and procedures are being initiated. More advocates, court staff, police and probation officers, and prosecutors are being hired. Across the country, participants consistently voiced their enthusiasm for all that has been accomplished.

In April 2000, the Center for Educational Media, in conjunction with the Muskie School, was funded to develop a series of videos documenting highlights from six different communities across the country. These six videos are the basis of a longer composite version examining an array of programs that have benefited from VAWA funding. Together the state profiles and videos tell the story of the Violence Against Women Act, its impact and how it has transformed communities in the last five years.

Advisors
Barbara Hart
Joan Kuriansky

Consultants
Raina Fishbane
Travis Fritcsh
Robin Hassler-Thompson
Susan Landenwich
Lynn Levey
Eileen Luna
Anne Munch

Staff
Anita St. Onge, Project Director

Julie Atkins
Jean Bessette
Julie Dennehy
Phyllis Farr
Andrew Ferguson
Penny Guisinger
Diane Hogle
Marcella Makinen
Erin Oldham
Tammy Richards
Al Sheehy
Gail Sweat



Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service
Institute for Child & Family Policy
P.O. Box 15010
Portland, Maine 04112
(207) 780-5810

For more information contact Phyllis Farr, (207)780-5842; phyllisf@usm.maine.edu