S*T*O*P
(Services*Training*Officers*Prosecutors)

Program Description

In 1994, Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act.   Several grant programs were established under this new law, including the STOP VAW grant programs.  The STOP (Services*Training*Officers*Prosecution) Violence Against Women formula grant program encourages the development and implementation of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women and the development and enhancement of victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women. The formula grant program guidance encourages States to pursue approaches that foster partnerships among law enforcement, prosecution, the courts, victim advocates, and service providers.  In Maine, the STOP VAW program is administered by the Department of Public Safety.

Role of the Maine Justice Assistance Council

The Maine Justice Assistance Council (JAC) operates as the broad-based policy board, designated by Executive Order, to fulfill responsibilities and establish policies and priorities pursuant to the Justice Assistance Act of 1984, the State and Local Narcotics Assistance Program of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of l986, the Drug Control and System Improvement Program of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of l988, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of l994 and the VAW Act of 1994. The Council serves as a forum for communication and structure for coordination in the development of the statewide strategy to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, with emphasis on drug trafficking, violent offenders, and serious crime.

To include representation of key interests and perspectives concerning issues of violence against women, the council membership includes the Chairperson of the Maine Commission on Domestic Abuse (or designee), the Director of the Office of Substance Abuse (or designee), a representative of a domestic abuse prevention organization and a representative of a sexual assault victims service organization.  Other members include the Commissioner of Public Safety or designee; the Department of Corrections Associate Commissioner of Adult Services or designee; two police chiefs; a district attorney; the Law Enforcement Coordinating Council Coordinator, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine or designee; the Director of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy; the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or designee; a representative of a state law enforcement agency; the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections or his designee; a sheriff; and the Attorney General or his designee.

With representation of Federal, State, and local criminal justice professionals and nonprofit, nongovernmental service providers, the Council is designed to facilitate coordinated planning and implementation of federally, state and locally funded projects.

The Council is responsible for:

• Issuing requests for proposals and other appropriate information.

• Receiving and reviewing applications and making funding recommendations to the Maine Department of Public Safety.