Amata Welcomes $747,000 in DOJ Grants for Victims of Violence in American Samoa

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is welcoming an announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) that the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) has been awarded two federal formula grants totaling $746,687 to strengthen services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Congresswoman Amata and Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix at IGIA 2025

The federal awards include $617,645 through the OVW Fiscal Year 2026 STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Formula Grant Program and $129,042 through the OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Formula Program. Both grants were awarded on August 3, 2026, and will support ongoing efforts to improve victim services and strengthen public safety throughout American Samoa.

"These are important federal resources that help provide protection, support, and hope for victims and survivors while strengthening coordination among our law enforcement and service providers," said Congresswoman Amata. "Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix and everyone at the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for their continued work administering these programs and serving the people of American Samoa."

The STOP Formula Grant Program supports partnerships among law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service organizations to improve the response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The funding helps strengthen criminal justice strategies while increasing protection and services for victims.

The Sexual Assault Services Formula Program provides intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, as well as family members and others affected by victimization. The funding also supports rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to survivors.

"Thank you to the leadership at DOJ and OVW for supporting programs that strengthen victim services and public safety in American Samoa," concluded Congresswoman Amata.

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