U.S. Attorney's Office To Work With Local Partners To Reduce Domestic Violence

Press Release

U.S. Justice Department Designates Two Communities in the Western District of North Carolina Under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act, Prioritizing Firearms Prosecutions of Domestic Violence Offenders

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an 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.

The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney's Offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms.

The designated communities in the Western District of North Carolina are the City of Asheville and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).

"Our partnerships with federal, local and Tribal law enforcement, service providers, and organizations that service the designated communities are critical in our efforts to address intimate partner violence and protect survivors," said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. "By joining forces, we can combine and leverage our resources and expertise to combat intimate partner violence. Together, we are committed to strengthening community safety, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring that victims have access to the support they need and protection they deserve."

"ATF is proud to be part of this collaborative effort aimed at better protecting those affected by domestic violence," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. "Individuals who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence are prohibited from possessing a firearm. ATF joins our law enforcement partners in efforts to make sure those individuals no longer pose a danger to their families or communities."

"Reducing intimate partner violence and seeking justice for its survivors is a top priority for the Asheville Police Department," said Asheville Police Chief Michael Lamb. "We value our partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office and appreciate the willingness of the Department of Justice and the ATF to work alongside us in our efforts to reduce and eliminate domestic violence."

The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Western District of North Carolina, in partnership with law enforcement, service providers, and community organizations, will continue to strengthen efforts to combat domestic violence through comprehensive training, increased federal prosecutions, and the allocation of federal resources.

The U.S. Attorney's Office plans to conduct a series of specialized trainings for law enforcement and partner agencies. The goal of the trainings is to enhance the response to domestic violence incidents, improve victim safety, hold perpetrators accountable, and support local agencies that address these crimes and provide vital services to survivors.

The U.S. Attorney's Office, in partnership with state prosecutors, will continue to review cases for potential federal prosecution, focusing on cases that involve individuals with misdemeanor or felony domestic violence convictions, or individuals who are subject to domestic violence restraining orders, that illegally possess firearms or ammunition.

The U.S. Attorney's Office will deploy resources through federal grants to continue to support community organizations that combat intimate partner violence and assist victims of violence, survivors, and their families. The federal funding is administered to local organizations to ensure continuity of services, expand access to legal support, and help meet the integral needs and address the unique challenges of victims and survivors of domestic violence.

"Helpmate is pleased to partner with the U.S. Attorney's Office on this important initiative to address domestic violence. For nearly 50 years, Helpmate has provided shelter, safety, and support for survivors of intimate partner domestic violence. We applaud this initiative to bring increased focus on this issue that impacts thousands of families in our community each year," said April Burgess-Johnson, Executive Director of Helpmate in Asheville.

According to the Department of Justice, communities were designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence.

The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department's Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.

For additional information about the U.S. Attorney's Office please visit our website. Contact details and information about our Victim Witness Unit can be found here.

Updated September 13, 2024