FARGO, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is launching a $3 million special initiative to support local communities fight crime in western North Dakota and on the MHA Nation.
Since taking office, Heitkamp has continually urged the Administration to place special focus on increased law enforcement resources for the Bakken region, in particular on the Fort Berthold reservation, in order to make sure North Dakota communities are safe. The Violence Against Women Bakken Region Initiative funds will be used to support services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking as well as aid the local criminal justice system in responding to these crimes.
“The creation of the Bakken Region Initiative is an excellent step in our efforts to make sure all North Dakotans in feel safe in their communities,” said Heitkamp. “Since my first day in office, I have constantly brought the needs of the Bakken region to the attention of the Administration, and have even brought many of the top officials to the state to see them firsthand. We are very blessed to be experiencing great economic growth in North Dakota as a result of the oil boom. However, with this success, we are also facing many law enforcement challenges and need to work on comprehensive solutions.”
Last year, Heitkamp brought White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director R. Gil Kerlikowske to North Dakota to hear from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and other officials about the major increase in drug crimes occurring in the oil patch and spreading to other areas of the state. Also last year, Heitkamp helped reauthorize and improve the Violence Against Women Act, which was one of the first pieces of legislation she co-sponsored in the Senate. The bill significantly strengthens the ability of the Federal government, the States, law enforcement, and Tribal governments to combat domestic violence and sexual assault.
The $3 million will be used for two different programs: Violence Against Women Bakken Region Initiative: Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) and the Violence Against Women Bakken Region Initiative: Enhanced Response to Victims.
The Bakken Region Tribal SAUSA Initiative will support the salary, travel and training costs of a Tribal SAUSA for MHA Nation.
The Bakken Region Enhanced Response to Victims Initiative will fund state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, as well as local and tribal victim service providers responding to the increased demand for domestic violence and sexual assault victim services. Funding and technical assistance will also help those working to prevent violence and support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
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