In efforts to address the pressing issue of domestic violence, the U.S. Attorney's Office is taking a significant step, Merrick B. Garland, the Attorney General, has approved 78 communities for a collaboration intended to curb intimate partner firearm violence, the development is part of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, according to a recent announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina.
The initiative spearheaded by the Justice Department in tandem with the United States Attorney’s Offices (USAOs) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is focusing on interventions in designated regions like the City of Asheville and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), with a particular priority placed on prosecuting those already prohibited by 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms due to domestic violence convictions, this approach is rooted in the belief that such enforcement could significantly reduce the risks associated with domestic incidents.
"Our partnerships with federal, local and Tribal law enforcement, service providers, and organizations that service the designated communities are critical in our efforts to address intimate partner violence and protect survivors," stated Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, according to the Justice Department’s press release. Meanwhile, ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims added, "ATF joins our law enforcement partners in efforts to make sure those individuals no longer pose a danger to their families or communities."
As part of the initiative's roll-out plans, the U.S. Attorney’s Office aims to launch specialized trainings designed to boost the capacity of law enforcement and partnering agencies in handling domestic violence cases, these trainings aim not only to improve the response to domestic violence incidents but also enhance victim safety, hold perpetrators accountable, and broadly support local entities in addressing these crimes and aiding survivors; the federal funding associated with these grants will help in fueling these local efforts and is managed with the intention to create continuous access to necessary services, including legal support for those affected by domestic violence.
Local Asheville organization Helpmate, which has been providing support for survivors of intimate partner domestic violence for almost half a century, has also expressed its support for the new federal initiative, "We applaud this initiative to bring increased focus on this issue that impacts thousands of families in our community each year," said their Executive Director, April Burgess-Johnson in the DOJ's announcement.
With the Justice Department closely coordinating with community stakeholders to pinpoint communities that would benefit from augmented intimate partner violence resources, this current designation marks the commencement of combined efforts between the department and the designated communities, ensuring that federal tools are applied efficiently to abate intimate partner firearm violence, additional jurisdictions are anticipated to be designated as collaboration with local stakeholders gains momentum, as per the Justice Department’s statement.
