Victory has been secured for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in New Jersey and beyond. According to a recent announcement by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, a settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) will maintain access to essential services funded by federal programs, despite a prior push for detrimental restrictions. The settlement represents a response to a lawsuit initiated by New Jersey and nineteen other states, as reported by NJOAG.gov.
These now-prohibited restrictions, introduced during the Trump Administration, had called for the denial of necessary legal services to survivors unable to prove their immigration status. A condition that could have violated federal law. In a firmly worded statement obtained by NJOAG.gov, Attorney General Platkin stated, "The Trump Administration's attempt to cut off support for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence was cruel, reckless, and illegal – and now we've stopped it." The collective efforts of a coalition, which includes attorneys general from states as varied as Michigan, Oregon, and New Mexico, led to this substantial legal turnaround.
The programs in question, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), have long supported survivors through services such as legal assistance, crisis centers, and housing support. These grants are designed to be accessible to all survivors, irrespective of immigration status, to ensure public safety by encouraging victims to seek help and report crimes freely. The DOJ's proposed restrictions would have had devastating consequences by interfering with grants, some of which date back years, and would have imposed unfair burdens on service providers and survivors alike.
In the wake of the lawsuit and the resulting agreement, the DOJ has confirmed that the controversial restriction will not be applied to current VOCA Victim Assistance or VAWA grant awards. Platkin noted that the resolution ensures the federal government will not enforce the restriction on states’ VOCA Victim Assistance and VAWA funds, allowing survivors to continue accessing critical support regardless of immigration status. As a result, the legal action filed by Attorney General Platkin and his counterparts will be dismissed without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of renewed action if necessary, according to the same press release.
The stipulation has a wide-reaching impact, with attorneys general from regions including Illinois, Delaware, and the District of Columbia joining New Jersey in this legal agreement.
