By The Star Staff
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland has designated San Juan as a participant in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act initiative.
San Juan was on a list of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the act.
The federal Justice Department -- through its U.S. Attorney’s offices and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) field divisions -- will partner with designated jurisdictions to develop plans to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders who are prohibited from owning firearms under the law.
“We will continue to allocate resources to effectively respond to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow said in a written statement. “We appreciate the support of our partners at ATF and other state, local and federal agencies to address violence against women.”
He added that joint work with health agencies and professionals specializing in domestic violence will be key to achieving the objectives.
Additionally, the Justice Department awarded several grants to support community efforts on the island. Among them, the Office of the Women’s Advocate received $1.8 million under the STOP Grant Program for Violence Against Women. Also, the Puerto Rico Department of Justice received more than $7.2 million from the Crime Victim Assistance Program, and the organization Solo Por Hoy received $500,000 for projects related to prevention and response to domestic and sexual violence.
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