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Abstract: 

This article analyzes a landmark federal court ruling that temporarily blocks new, restrictive grant conditions imposed by the U.S. Department of Justice on Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding. In Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Bondi, a nationwide coalition of state domestic violence and sexual assault organizations successfully challenged Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) requirements that curtailed diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and reframed domestic violence solely as a criminal justice issue. Applying the Administrative Procedure Act, the Rhode Island federal district court found the new conditions likely unlawful, arbitrary, and harmful to survivor-serving organizations, and issued a preliminary injunction preserving the prior grant framework for FY2025. The article explains the court’s reasoning, situates the decision within broader federal efforts to reshape VAWA implementation, and explores its critical implications for survivor services, nonprofit autonomy, and the separation of powers.

Keywords: Violence Against Women Act; Federal Grant Restrictions; Administrative Procedure Act; Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Bondi ; Office on Violence Against Women; Domestic Violence Coalitions; Preliminary Injunction

Affiliations:  1: Associate Editor.