The Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act establishes two federally funded programs to address technology-enabled abuse, which has become a major problem affecting millions of Americans. The first program creates a 5-year pilot that will award up to $2 million grants to up to 15 eligible consortia—partnerships between universities or tech companies and domestic violence organizations—to help victims through technology expertise and services like providing new devices. The second program authorizes up to $20 million over 5 years in grants to nonprofits and colleges to develop training materials and educational programs so support organizations can better help victims of technological abuse. Congress finds that 97 percent of domestic violence support programs report abusers use technology to stalk and control victims, with methods ranging from text message harassment to hidden monitoring software. The Director of the Office on Violence Against Women will oversee both programs and must report back to Congress within three years assessing whether the pilot program should become permanent.
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