State Awards $3.4 Million to Address Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking

BOSTON — Last month, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $3.4 million in grant funding to support 42 organizations across Massachusetts that help survivors of domestic assault, sexual assault, and stalking access services, strengthen coordinated responses, and improve public safety.

The continuation awards are funded through the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant program by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In Massachusetts, the program is administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR).

“Our administration remains focused on ensuring that survivors can reach timely and trauma-informed assistance in communities across Massachusetts,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “We are investing in the frontline teams and providers who help survivors find safety, regain stability, and move forward on their path to healing.”

This marks the final year of the grant program’s current, four-year grant cycle. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process in 2022 and were eligible to apply for continuation awards in each of the following three years. Pending the release of federal FY 2026 VAWA funds by the DOJ, OGR intends to conduct a competitive application process later in 2026, marking the beginning of a new four-year grant cycle.

Grant recipients in Western Mass. include Adams Police Department ($37,003), Alianza, Holyoke ($47,853), Behavioral Health Network, Springfield ($57,956), Elizabeth Freeman Center, Pittsfield ($80,155), Hampden County Sheriff’s Department ($46,387), Pittsfield Police Department ($66,826), and Safe Passage, Northampton ($106,341).