Oklahoma gets grant to help stop violence against women

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma is receiving $1.55 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund programs to prevent and respond to violence against women.<br/><br/>The department is awarding $117

Friday, May 21st 2004, 5:45 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma is receiving $1.55 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund programs to prevent and respond to violence against women.

The department is awarding $117 million in all to states and U.S. territories for the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program.

The grants go to designated state agencies.

A fourth of the money goes to law enforcement, a fourth goes to prosecution, 30 percent goes to victim services, 5 percent goes to courts and 15 percent is used for other Services, Training, Officers and Prosecutors Program purposes at each state's discretion.

The program encourages states and communities to restructure and strengthen the criminal justice system's response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

"The STOP Program protects victims and holds criminals accountable for their actions," Attorney General John Ashcroft said in a press release.