AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta has been designated as a community partner to reduce domestic violence in the Southern District of Georgia, according to a statement released by the United States Justice Department on Friday.
The U.S. Justice Department announced Attorney General Merrick Garland approved the initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.
According to the Justice Department, data was collected to identify communities “that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources.”
“We work in close collaboration with our law enforcement partners and community stakeholders to prevent violence, particularly gun violence and domestic violence,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “A key part of this effort includes keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are legally prohibited from possessing them, including those with records of domestic abuse.”