Explanation
Background:
This legislation authorizes the City of Columbus to accept and appropriate two federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) sub awards from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Office of Justice Policy and Programs to the City Attorney’s Office. Grant awards support specialized prosecution and victim advocacy services for survivors of domestic violence. Award dollars fund 1) a portion of salary expenses for two specially trained domestic violence prosecutors, 2) total compensation for one specially trained anti-stalking victim advocate and 3) contract fees for interpretation and translation services.
The Columbus City Attorney’s Domestic Violence & Stalking Prosecution Unit provides best-practice prosecution services for victims of misdemeanor domestic violence and stalking crimes. The unit employs six highly-trained and experienced domestic violence prosecutors, sixteen victim advocates, one stalking investigator, one anti-stalking victim advocate and hosts professional liaisons from Capital University Law School’s Civil Protection Unit. Services provided by the unit are modeled after the National District Attorneys Association’s National Domestic Violence Prosecution Best Practice Guide and are designed to improve victim engagement; decrease recantation; and increase community and law enforcement collaboration. This ordinance authorizes the acceptance and appropriation of grant funds and the transfer of the 25% city cash match ($57,655.21) from the transfer out account back to the city attorney general fund.
Award # VAWA Award Cash Match
23-WF-VA2-8758 $109,791.01 $36,596.99
23-WF-VA2-4600 $63,174.66 $21,058.22
2024 VAWA total $172,965.67 $57,655.21
Emergency Action:
Emergency action is requested to ensure timely reimbursement for grant supported services provided through the first two quarters of 2024.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to accept federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) sub awards 23- WF-VA2-...
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