HAP Takes on Domestic Violence with Department of Justice Grant

September 28, 2016

HAP TAKES ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANT

Two-year grant will increase capacity to reach and assist Hmong and Southeast Asian populations

Saint Paul, MN – Hmong American Partnership (HAP) has been awarded a federal grant from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) to address domestic violence within the Hmong and other Southeast Asia communities in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. This two year grant in the amount of $599,624 will strengthen and expand direct services to victims of domestic violence.

HAP and its partners, Minnesota Association of Asian Peace Officers, Asian Women United of Minnesota, Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, and Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women will work together to strengthen direct services and advocacy for domestic violence victims through client support and case advocacy in housing, legal services, employment services, and more. HAP will work to develop education and training for law enforcement, the court systems, and other professionals who work in the field. A portion of the grant will be used to create a community campaign that brings awareness to the culturally specific needs and issues of Hmong and Southeast Asian domestic violence survivors.

For women of color, high rates of poverty, poor education, limited job resources and access, language barriers and fear of deportation increase their difficulty to find help and support services. Bao Vang, President & CEO of HAP noted, We are pleased that the DOJ believes in the positive work we have done so far to bring attention to the culturally specific needs of Hmong and Southeast Asian domestic violence victims. This grant will ensure that our programs and staff continue to provide the quality support that is needed in the most critical of times for our clients.

This grant from the DOJ’s Office of Violence Against Women marks the second time HAP has been awarded these funds in the past five years. OVW provides leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

CONTACT

Bao Vang | President and CEO
(651)-495-1507
baov@hmong.org

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HAP is a community development organization whose mission is: to empower the community to embrace the strengths of our cultures while achieving our potential. HAP provides critical services and support to more than 15,000 community members annually. For more information about HAP and its programs, please visit http://www.Hmong.org.