2000

President Bill Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000) into law on October 28, 2000. The VAWA 2000 reauthorization strengthened the original law by improving protections for battered immigrants, sexual assault survivors, and victims of dating violence. In addition, it enabled victims of domestic violence that flee across state lines to obtain custody orders without returning to jurisdictions where they may be in danger. Furthermore, it improved the enforcement of protection orders across state and tribal lines.

The Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Grant Program (Tribal Coalitions Program), was authorized in the VAWA 2000, to build the capacity of survivors, advocates, Indian women's organizations, and victim service providers to form nonprofit, nongovernmental tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions to end violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women.

OVW's Tribal Coalitions Program grants are used to:

  • Increase awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault against American Indian and Alaska Native women;
  • Enhance the response to violence against women at the tribal, federal, and state levels; and
  • Identify and provide technical assistance to coalition membership and tribal communities to enhance access to essential services.

In Fiscal Year 2008, OVW's Tribal Coalitions Program funded 11 new projects, totaling more than $3 million. OVW currently funds 23 Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions in 13 states. Since 2001, OVW has funded approximately 80 projects, totaling more than $24 million, for tribal coalitions strengthening partnerships for safer communities.