Doyle Speaks!!

But not on what we want to hear him about.

Governor Jim Doyle today announced he is awarding $114,500 in federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA). The grant will be used by WCASA to provide technical assistance, training, support and information to sexual assault service providers and members of the general public working to end sexual violence in Wisconsin.

"Sexual violence continues to be a tragic crime against Wisconsin's neighborhoods and communities," said Governor Doyle. "Sexual violence affects everyone - from Wisconsin citizens who see rising heath and law enforcement costs; to employers, friends, and family members of victims; to the traumatized victims themselves. This grant will help to fight the battle against heinous crimes of sexual violence."

Funding from this grant supports the annual Training Institute, bringing a multidisciplinary group of professionals together to learn cutting edge sexual assault information; the Northern Training, which trains service providers in far northern Wisconsin; and technical assistance in the specialty areas of legal, judicial, policy, and persons with disabilities.

This grant will also cover some expenses of WCASA's new initiatives, which include scholarships to support leadership development for women of color, and staff to work with leaders in the Deaf community to develop sexual assault resources and services.

"It is important to remember that sexual assault is a crime of violence," said OJA Executive Director David Steingraber. "We are committed to making sure every victim of sexual violence is able to get the help they need."

This federal grant is administered by the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance (OJA). OJA administers grants in the areas of Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, Criminal Justice, and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). OJA also runs the state's Statistical Analysis Center.

This is nice and all, and great news for battered and abused women across the State of Wisconsin, but aren't there more pressing matters the people of Wisconsin want to heard from their Governor about?