The V.I. Law Enforcement Planning commission has been awarded $25,000 by the U.S. Department of Justice to beef up existing policies for the arrest and prosecution of domestic violence offenders and to improve services for victims of domestic violence.
The Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program under Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 encourages a coordinated and integrated approach, which responds to domestic violence as a serious violation of criminal law, according to V.I. Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen.
The program requires that the territory demonstrate a coordinated effort by criminal justice personnel and non-profit, non-governmental domestic violence and sexual assault programs to prioritize the safety and well-being of victims.