OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim Centered Training for Law Enforcement on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking (Abby Honold) Program | O OVW 2024 171907

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim-Centered Training for Law Enforcement on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking, also known as the Abby Honold Program.

Which federal agency is offering the Abby Honold Program funding?

The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

Is this a formula grant or a discretionary grant?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity.

What is the Assistance Listing number for this program?

The Assistance Listing number is 16.058.

What law authorizes this program?

The Abby Honold Program is authorized under 34 U.S.C. 12513.

What is the overall purpose of the Abby Honold Program?

The program is designed to strengthen how law enforcement agencies respond to reports of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, with an emphasis on improving the full arc of the law enforcement response from the victim's first report through the investigation.

What parts of the law enforcement response does the program aim to improve?

The focus is on the full arc of response, starting at the victim's first report and continuing through the investigation, while also promoting agency-wide improvements that can be sustained over time and recognized as better practice in the field.

What does "trauma-informed" mean in the context of this program?

In this program, trauma-informed investigations are approaches intended to reduce the risk of re-traumatizing victims during interviews, evidence collection, and case follow-up.

What does "victim-centered" mean in the context of this program?

A victim-centered approach emphasizes investigative practices that improve communication and trust between victims and law enforcement and support victims throughout the reporting and investigative process.

What types of crimes does this training address?

The program addresses domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Is the grant only about providing training?

No. A central feature of the program is that it is not only about delivering training, but also about evaluating whether the training works, so agencies and the field can better understand which practices lead to improved outcomes for victims and stronger investigations.

Why does the program emphasize evaluating training effectiveness?

Because OVW wants participating agencies and the broader field to understand what practices lead to improved outcomes for victims and stronger investigations.

Does the program involve improving agency policies and practices, not just individual skills?

Yes. The program is intended to promote agency-wide improvements that can be sustained over time and recognized as better practice in the field.

What role does collaboration play in this program?

The program aims to strengthen collaboration with partners involved in a coordinated community response, such as victim service providers and allied stakeholders.

What DOJ guidance is referenced in the opportunity?

The opportunity encourages participating agencies to incorporate the eight principles in the DOJ's 2022 updated guidance, Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias.

How are the DOJ 2022 gender bias principles intended to help?

The emphasis is based on the premise that identifying and preventing gender bias can directly affect how victims are treated, how cases are assessed, and whether offenders are held accountable.

What outcomes does OVW associate with using the gender bias prevention principles?

OVW highlights that applying these principles can improve victim safety, increase offender accountability, and build trust between law enforcement and the community, particularly where victims may hesitate to report or cooperate due to prior experiences or perceptions of unfair treatment.

Will grantees receive outside support to implement the program?

Yes. The program includes national training and technical assistance delivered by OVW-funded Training and Technical Assistance Providers.

Do applicants need to design the entire training and technical assistance approach by themselves?

No. The structure indicates grantees are not expected to design everything alone and will be supported by OVW-funded providers with subject-matter expertise in trauma-informed practice, victim-centered approaches, and improved investigative strategies.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to state, local, territorial, or Tribal law enforcement agencies in the United States or U.S. territories that investigate domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking.

Can a government entity apply on behalf of a law enforcement agency?

Yes. If a law enforcement agency does not have the authority to apply independently, states, units of local government, and Tribal governments may apply on the agency's behalf.

Is this opportunity available in U.S. territories?

Yes. Eligibility includes law enforcement agencies in the United States or U.S. territories.

When was the funding opportunity posted?

OVW posted the opportunity on March 22, 2024.

What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date was May 17, 2024.

What is the maximum award amount?

Awards can be as large as $500,000.

How many awards did OVW anticipate making under this funding cycle?

OVW anticipated making about 9 awards.

What kinds of improvements is the program trying to sustain over time?

The program aims to support agency-wide improvements in trauma-informed, victim-centered investigative responses that can be sustained and recognized as better practice in the field.

How does the program define the "full arc" of response?

It refers to the law enforcement response beginning at the victim's first report and continuing through the investigation.

What kinds of investigative activities are explicitly mentioned as areas where re-traumatization risk should be reduced?

The opportunity specifically mentions interviews, evidence collection, and case follow-up.