Trump slashes grants to fight domestic violence

On behalf of Johnson, Sclafani & Moriarty, Attorneys at Law posted in Domestic Violence on Friday, January 27, 2017.

Many politicians would have trouble justifying slashing the budgets of programs specifically targeting preventing domestic violence against women. But Donald Trump is no ordinary politician and has no problem with it at all.

His administration has announced plans to cut each of the 25 grant programs overseen by the federal Office on Violence Against Women, which is under the umbrella of the Justice Department. These grants were established in 1994 with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act. They are parceled out to groups attempting to stop sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, elder abuse and stalking.

In addition, the grants provide support to survivors of abuse and assault by offering legal aid, assistance for transitional housing and training for those in the criminal and civil justice systems to respond appropriately to those victimized by domestic and sexual violence.

One women’s-rights group co-founder spoke out bluntly, saying of the president, “A man with a well-documented history of sexually assaulting women [has taken] over the federal government so it is sadly not surprising that he is gutting programs vital to protecting women from violence. [T]hese cuts . . . mak[e] it harder for law enforcement to protect women from predators like himself and members of his senior staff.”

Women in bad marriages and relationships where domestic abuse is commonplace have a right to be worried about what the future will bring under this administration. However, they are not without resources and advocates.

A Massachusetts family law attorney can file for a restraining order prohibiting the abuser from making contact. If a divorce is needed, that can be filed simultaneously.

Source: Slate, “Trump’s Planned Elimination of Violence Against Women Grants Is Pure Cruelty,” Christina Cauterucci, Jan. 19, 2017