Established by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, the STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Program seeks to develop and implement law enforcement and prosecution strategies to effectively decrease violent crimes against women. These grants also help to develop and enhance services provided to the victims of violent crimes.
In Missouri, the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for coordinating VAWA funds with local agencies. Funds through VAWA must be committed to four specific areas in the State: prosecution, law enforcement, victim service, and courts.
In FY 2024, VAWA funds may be used for multiple purposes areas identified in the application guidance. Allowable costs include:
- Personnel/Personnel Benefits
- Travel
- Equipment (necessary in provision of services)
- Supplies/Operations (necessary in provision of services)
- Contractual Expenses
- Indirect Costs
States must allocate at least 25 percent of each year's grant award to law enforcement programs, at least 25 percent to prosecution programs, at least 5 percent for court programs, and at least 30 percent to nonprofit, nongovernmental victim service programs.
The applicant may not conduct the following activities that are unrelated or only tangentially related to the provision of direct services to victims of crime: (This list may not be all-inclusive.):