Beshear administration is focused on healing survivors, obtaining justice, ending domestic violence
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 25, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that applications are now available for more than $2 million in federal funding through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to help prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in the commonwealth.
“Domestic violence is something far too many Kentuckians experience, which is why my administration has made it a priority to fight against these horrific crimes and support survivors,” Gov. Beshear said. “By working with community partners, we are making sure every Kentuckian in need has access to victim services while we continue to pursue justice each day.”
The federal VAWA Services, Training, Officers, Prosecution (STOP) Formula Grant Program requires administrating agencies to allocate funding for law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, and state and local courts. It also allows for discretionary distribution and encourages a focus on projects that serve adults and youth (ages 11-17 years) who are victims of intimate partner violence.
This follows the May release of the 2024 Domestic Violence Data Report, which shows that levels of domestic violence remained stable compared to the year before. Additionally, there were fewer filings of electronic JC-3 forms, which are completed after responding to a report of domestic violence, dating violence or abuse to track incidents and arrests and to assist victims with filing for emergency protective orders. There was a slight increase in arrests made related to domestic violence and a rise in the number of individuals who utilized services provided by ZeroV, the state’s coalition of domestic violence shelters.
“Awarding this federal funding each year allows us to support our community partners who are seeking justice for victims and providing needed resources each day,” Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson said. “We are proud to work together to prevent domestic violence, something we could not do without this collaboration.”
Applications must be submitted online by 6 p.m. EDT on Sept. 26, 2025, via Intelligrants 10.0 (IGX), the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s electronic grants management system. Assistance with the application process may be obtained by contacting Grants Management staff at JUSIGX@ky.gov. Awards are expected to be announced in December with the award date beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
The Governor has championed victims of crime and sexual abuse since his first day as attorney general, and he continues to do so in the Governor’s Office. As attorney general, Beshear’s office created the Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution, created the Survivors Council and arrested a historic number of child predators. Since becoming Governor, the Beshear-Coleman administration has awarded more than $149 million in grant funding to victim service agencies across the commonwealth. The Governor has also signed legislation to make sexual extortion a felony and strengthened statutory language to include other forms of abuse and sexual exploitation of minors.
Additionally, this year, Kentucky secured another record-low recidivism rate and the third consecutive decrease in overdose deaths.
In 2023, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 79, creating the Safe at Home Program, which is administered by the secretary of state. The program protects the residential address of survivors of domestic violence and other sexual crimes as well as the addresses of those who reside in the same household as the victim. To gain this protection, the crime victim or the individual residing in the victim’s home needs to apply to the secretary of state’s office to have the address protected.
Get Help Now
Kentucky’s domestic violence programs and shelters are open 24/7 and are safe for survivors and their families to receive emergency shelter and supportive services. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs assistance, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE or clicking here.
You can reach out to the 24-hour Rape Crisis Line at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to connect with a sexual assault service provider near you or contact your local KSP Post to connect with a victim advocate.
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