Washington - U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded Essex County $750,000to supportdomestic violencevictims and enforce offender accountability provisions of the Violence Against Women Act.

"Domestic violence is a serious problemin Essex Countythatdemands our attention,"said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, which funds this grant program."Social service providers and local law enforcement need all the assistance we can providetohelp domestic abuse victims andpreventthemfrom being in dangerous situations. I will continue to fight for critical federal funding to keep women and families inNew Jersey safe and secure."

"We need to do everything possible to combat the serious problem of domestic violence in our communities, especially in Essex County. No woman should live in fear for her life and no woman should feel she has no place to go for help. This funding will help coordinate vital services and improve safety measures for women throughout the county,"said Senator Menendez.

According to the Justice Department, Essex County ranks first among New Jersey counties for the highest number of domestic violence homicides and second for highest number of domestic violence-related assaults. It ranks third in highest number of domestic violence reported offenses and fourth in number of domestic violence arrests.

The county will collaborate with the Family Justice Center of Essex County to implement the program, which enhances victim safety and offender accountability in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The grant will be used to establish accessible and coordinated domestic violence services in one location with increased law enforcement personnel.According to the Family Justice Center,a portion of the funding will be used to re-hire a Newark police officer and new personnel in the Domestic Violence Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

In May, Sens. Lautenberg and Menendez wrote a letter to the DOJ Office of Violence Against Women in support of Essex County's application.

###