Established by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, the STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Program seeks to develop and implement law enforcement and prosecution strategies to effectively decrease violent crimes against women. These grants also help to develop and enhance services provided to the victims of violent crimes.
In South Dakota, the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) responsible for coordinating VAWA funds with local agencies. Funds through VAWA provide systematic and sustained focus on permanent systems change within the South Dakota criminal justice system, while simultaneously developing a comprehensive network of domestic violence and sexual assault victim service advocates and programs throughout South Dakota communities.
In FY2026, STOP VAWA has been combined with other programs into one consolidated Victims' Service Program. The purpose of the program is to provide funding to organizations that offer shelter, advocacy, crisis counseling, and other victims' services to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, and other violent crime victims.
Allowable costs categories include: personnel, operating expenses, community education expenses, emergency services, furniture and equipment, travel, training, repairs/renovations, telephone expenses, and other expenses that do not fit in above categories.
The FY 2023 allocation to the state of South Dakota was $916,868.
Approximately $1,046,309 is available in FY2025.
*Prior to FY2026, above amounts are for STOP VAWA funding only.