Update on Sexual Assault Service Program (SASP) Funding

June 25, 2009 |
Valor

From the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
The Senate Appropriations Committee past its FY 2010 appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, NASA, the National Science Foundation and several independent agencies. Overall, the bill totals $64.9 billion in discretionary spending for FY 2010, an increase of about $7.3 billion over last year and $200 million above the President’s budget request.
The Committee provides $435 million for the Office on Violence Against Women INCLUDING $15 million for the Sexual Assault Services Program. This is $2 million more than in the house bill.
Highlights of the FY 2010 CJS Appropriations bill passed by Appropriations Committee include:

  • $15 million for SASP
  • $200 million for STOP Grants
  • $9.5 million for Campus Grants
  • $41 million for Rural Grants
  • $60 million for Grants to Encourage Arrest
  • $45 million for Civil Legal Assistance;
  • $3 million for Services for Children who Witness Violence
  • $3.5 million for STARY (Advocates for Youth)
  • $3 million for Engaging Men and Boys
  • $1 million for Tribal Sex Offender Registry
  • $1 million for Research on Violence Against Women
  • $500,000 for National Resource Center on Workplace Response
  • $4.25 million for Elder Abuse
  • $6.75 million for Education and Training for Disabled Female Victims

In addition, the VOCA cap is $705 million.
This is GREAT news specifically related to SASP and we must now forge ahead to ensure that the higher number for the program is eventually agreed to in the final appropriations bill signed by the President!
You can view the Committee’s full statement by clicking here.