Building on work from previous years. the Act reauthorizes some of the current programs that have proven enormously effective. including the STOP programwhich provides state formula grants that help fund collaboration efforts between police and prosecutors and victim services providersand legal assistance for victims. In addition. VAWA reauthorizes the grant program for legal services for protection orders and related family. criminal. immigration. administrative agency. and housing matters. It allows victims of domestic violence. dating violence. stalking. and sexual assault to obtain access to trained attorneys and lay advocacy services. particularly pro bono legal services. when they require legal assistance as a consequence of violence. This program has been expanded to provide services to both adult and youth victims. Previously authorized at $40.000.000 annually. funding is set at $65.000.000 annually for 2007 through 2011. to be administered by the Attorney General. This provision also includes an amendment to ensure that all legal services organizations can assist any victim of domestic violence. sexual assault and trafficking without regard to the victims immigration status. The organizations can use any source of funding they receive to provide legal assistance that is directly related to overcoming the victimization. and preventing or obtaining relief for the crime perpetrated against them that is often critical to promoting victim safety. Furthermore.
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