Tester secures $350,000 to provide shelter for survivors of violence in Dawson County

(Billings, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester today helped secure a $350,000 grant for the Dawson County Domestic Violence Program (DCDV) to provide transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

This U.S. Department of Justice grant is authorized through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which Tester voted for in 2013 and helped secure funding for in 2014.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault are never acceptable and these additional resources will help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault find a safe place to call home,” said Tester, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “As folks on the ground work to prevent and stop these crimes, I will continue to ensure they have the resources they need to keep families and communities secure.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Senator Tester, Dawson County Domestic Violence can maintain pivotal housing services to victims for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, in Dawson, Wibaux and Prairie Counties,” said Susan Anderson, Dawson County Domestic Violence Director.

DCDV is a community-based, nonprofit advocacy program serving victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in Dawson, Prairie and Wibaux counties which occupies over 4,999 square miles in eastern Montana.