WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced the largest single federal grant to combat domestic violence in Southeastern Massachusetts this year.

Flanked by Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, Plymouth County Sheriff Joe McDonald, and Hingham Police Chief Steve Carlson, Delahunt presented a $748,871 check to local law enforcement on behalf of the US Justice Department.

"Violence against women is the worst kind of crime," Delahunt said. "These funds will help survivors who have the courage to end the cycle of abuse to find a way out to protect themselves and especially their children."
 
The grant is a part of the Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program, which is awarded by the US Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women. The program is designed to enhance safety and promote offender accountability by encouraging the local justice system to implement mandatory pre-arrest policies that will serve as an intervention before a domestic conflict escalates into physical violence. The key component is the successful communication and collaboration of law enforcement, the court system and social service agencies to respond to incidents quickly and effectively.

Hingham, along with social service agencies including Brockton Family and Community Resources, South Shore Women’s Center and Womansplace Crisis Center, will continue their collaborative efforts in order to integrate this initiative into their already established network of domestic violence prevention programs throughout Plymouth County and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Rep. Delahunt has been a pioneer in the effort to address domestic violence.  Prior to his election to Congress, he served as Norfolk County District Attorney for 21 years.  During that time, Delahunt established the first-in-the-nation office to combat domestic violence and provide services to survivors – including the DOVE shelter for battered and abused women in Quincy.

Rep. Delahunt is a member of the House Judiciary Committee where he continues staunch advocacy for increased funding for domestic violence programs.
 

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