U.S. Sens. Collins, King announce nearly $2M to stop domestic violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that the State of Maine, Penquis and Through These Doors received a total of $1,993,850 to help stop domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and protect victims.

“In addition to our efforts to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault, we must ensure that all survivors receive the resources and housing they need to ensure their safety and wellbeing,” said Sens. Collins and King in a joint statement. “This funding will help strengthen our state’s response to these crimes and allow Penquis and Through These Doors to continue to protect victims in their communities.”

The funding was allocated as follows:

The Maine Department of Public Safety received $1,095,362 through the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program. The funding will encourage partnerships between law enforcement, prosecutors, courts and victim services organization to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable.

Penquis received $448,848 through the Transitional Housing Grant Assistance Program to provide seven clustered residences for seven survivors and their families through program-owned housing units. The non-profit will collaborate with Partners for Peace of Piscataquis and Penobscot counties to provide a holistic, victim-centered, multidisciplinary approach to meet the transitional housing needs in the community. They will also use the funding to help survivors who are homeless to find safe, permanent housing.

Through These Doors of Portland received $449,640 through the Transitional Housing Grant Assistance Program to provide 10 scattered site residences for 10 survivors and their families through private landlord housing units. The non-profit will collaborate with its partners, including Community Housing of Maine and Crossroads, to provide a holistic, victim-centered, and multidisciplinary approach to meet the transitional housing needs in the community. They will also use the funding to help survivors who are homeless to find safe, permanent housing.

The funding was awarded through the Office of Violence Against Women, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice.