Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Announces Grant to Fund Rural Domestic Violence Response Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that an Albuquerque organization will receive a federal grant to help prevent and respond to rural domestic violence.

           The New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence will receive $775,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to help develop the Rural New Mexico Promotora Project.  The Coalition will join forces with 12 interstate providers with the goal of strengthening local capacity by hiring and training outreach coordinators and dozens of community of health workers – also known as promotoras -- to develop outreach and education programs to reduce domestic violence.  The Promotora Project will also coordinate with local agencies to synchronize the response to rural domestic violence.

 “Domestic violence affects too many women in our country, and rural communities face special challenges in dealing with this issue,” said Bingaman.  “I’m pleased that New Mexicans have a plan to take this problem on directly, and that the Justice Department sees promise in this initiative, as well.”

Responders to domestic violence in New Mexico’s rural communities encounter more than the typical rural challenges of distance and isolation. Nearly half the state’s population is Hispanic, and the state is home to 19 Native American pueblos and tribes, the Navajo and two Apache nations, which combine to present unique cultural and language barriers for responders.  Promotoras are best suited to address these issues because they will be from the localities they serve, and will share the distinct ethnic, cultural, and historic heritage of the population they work with. 

           The Department of Justice supplements programs like the Promotora Project through provisions of the Violence Against Women Act.  The Coalition is headquartered in Albuquerque and has networks throughout the state.