Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Office on Violence Against Women do?
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides national leadership in developing the nation's capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Currently, OVW administers two formula grant programs and 17 discretionary grant programs, all of which were established under VAWA and subsequent legislation. Since its inception, OVW has awarded nearly $3 billion in grants and cooperative agreements and has launched a multifaceted approach to implementing VAWA. By forging state, local, and tribal partnerships among police, prosecutors, victim advocates, health care providers, faith leaders, and others, OVW grant programs help provide victims with the protection and services they need to pursue safe and healthy lives, while simultaneously enabling communities to hold offenders accountable for their violence.

Will OVW offer travel assistance to tribal leaders who would like to attend the Consultation?
It is OVW’s goal to accommodate as many tribal leaders and representatives as we possibly can at this year’s Consultation. If your tribe currently receives grant funding from OVW, you may use your travel funding to pay for the cost of your travel to the Consultation. You may also use the funding to pay for the travel costs of up to two additional representatives from your tribe to attend as well.

Regrettably, OVW does not have funding to help defray the cost of attending the Consultation for tribal governments who do not currently receive OVW grant funding. Non-OVW grantees are welcome to attend the Consultation at their own expense.

How can tribes share their recommendations with OVW if they are unable to attend the Consultation?
OVW will accept written recommendations from tribal governments who are unable to attend the Consultation. Written comments may be submitted using first-class mail, email, or fax.

Office on Violence Against Women
United States Department of Justice
ATTN: Tribal Unit
800 K Street, NW, Ste. 920
Washington, DC 20530
Fax: (202) 305-2589
E-mail: OVW.VAIW@usdoj.gov

What do tribes need to do if they want to designate someone other than a tribal leader to represent the tribe at the Consultation?
OVW recognizes that your tribe may decide to authorize an individual who is not a tribal leader to offer testimony on its behalf at the Consultation. If your tribe elects to designate someone as its official representative, OVW is requesting that the individual who will be presenting testimony on behalf of your tribe be prepared to submit either a resolution from your tribal council or a letter from you on official letterhead which confirms their status as the official representative of your tribe.

Is this event open to members of the general public?
Participation in the Consultation is by invitation only. The leaders of each of the nation's 563 Federally recognized tribes have been invited to attend the Consultation. Registrations from non-tribal leaders will not be accepted unless the individual who is attempting to register has been authorized to attend the Consultation by a Federally-recognized tribe as evidenced by a letter on official tribal government letterhead signed by a tribal leader, or by a tribal council resolution.

Will I automatically be registered to attend the U.S. Attorney General's Tribal Nations Listening Session on Public Safety and Law Enforcement if I register to attend the OVW tribal Consultation?
The Listening Session and the Consultation are two separate events. You will need to submit separate registrations if you plan to attend both the Listening Session and the Tribal Consultation. More information