Van Hollen Awards $12,000 Grant To Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA)

Funding to Provide Victim Services Training to Sexual Assault Advocates Around Wisconsin

 MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen presented a $12,000 grant award today to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA) to help fund victim services training for sexual assault advocates around Wisconsin.

 The grant is made possible by the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Office of Crime Victim Services through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant program.

 "As Attorney General, protecting against the sexual assault of children is my number one priority. Working to prevent sexual abuse is a mission WCASA and I share," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "We also believe that children and adults who become victims of sexual assault require and deserve swift, effective responses from law enforcement to aftercare providers. WCASA works across the state to ensure victims remain a priority when victimization occurs. This grant will help the Coalition provide training to protect and assist all victims of sexual assault. We at Justice are proud to be a partner with them."

 The Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault is a statewide coalition consisting of individual, affiliate and sexual assault service provider members. WCASA works to ensure that every victim in Wisconsin gets the support and care they need.

 "We are thrilled to receive funds from the Attorney General's Office for the purpose of training advocates on complex topics related to sexual assault," said WCASA Executive Director Jeanie Kurka Reimer. "This horrific crime affects many individuals in Wisconsin and support to the victims is critical to their healing. We applaud Attorney General Van Hollen and his staff for the compassion and foresight they have in recognizing the importance of continuing to educate those who work with victims of sexual assault."

 This year WCASA will focus efforts toward improving responses to victims in rural areas, developing improved responses to sexual violence on college campuses around the state and to expand and improve community outreach to underserved populations.