Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) Program

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The City of Los Angeles will apply the grant towards the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART), a law enforcement-based crisis response team that pairs civilian advocates with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) police officers to respond to reported incidents of domestic violence. With this grant, the LAPD will select victim advocacy agencies to run the DART programs in the selected LAPD divisions within the City of Los Angeles. The agencies will be responsible for providing services to domestic violence victims including crisis response, counseling, referrals to shelters, transportation for victims, and follow-up services for victims. The goal of this project is to reduce instances of domestic violence and provide increased services to victims by educating victims about domestic violence, advocating for their rights, and helping them navigate through the criminal justice system; increase prosecution rates; reduce the number of domestic violence calls received by LAPD; and assist victims to break the cycle of violence and receive necessary resources.

NCA/NCF