§10401. Declaration of purpose

It is the purpose of this chapter to-

(1) assist States in efforts to increase public awareness about and prevent family violence and to provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents; and

(2) provide for technical assistance and training relating to family violence programs to States, local public agencies (including law enforcement agencies, courts, legal, social service, and health care professionals), nonprofit private organizations, and other persons seeking such assistance.

( Pub. L. 98–457, title III, §302, Oct. 9, 1984, 98 Stat. 1757 ; Pub. L. 102–295, title III, §302, May 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 201 .)

Amendments

1992-Par. (1). Pub. L. 102–295, §302(1)(A), which directed the substitution of "assist" for "demonstration the effectiveness of assisting", was executed by making the substitution for "demonstrate the effectiveness of assisting" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 102–295, §302(1)(B), substituted "to increase public awareness about and prevent" for "to prevent".

Par. (2). Pub. L. 102–295, §302(2), inserted ", courts, legal, social service, and health care professionals" after "enforcement agencies".

Short Title

Section 301 of title III of Pub. L. 98–457 provided that: "This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Family Violence Prevention and Services Act'."

Study of Training Needs of Health Professionals

Pub. L. 105–392, title IV, §407(b), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3589 , provided that: "The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall request that the Institute of Medicine conduct a study concerning the training needs of health professionals with respect to the detection and referral of victims of family or acquaintance violence. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 13, 1998], the Institute of Medicine shall prepare and submit to Congress a report concerning the study conducted under this subsection."