NCJ Number
239499
Date Published
September 2012
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This report presents the objectives, methodology, and findings from the U.S. Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General's (OIG's) audit of four technical-assistance cooperative agreements awarded by the Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR).
Abstract
The overall objective of the audit was to determine whether reimbursements claimed for costs under the cooperative agreements were allowable; supported; and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreements. The audit also evaluated PCAR's program performance in meeting the goals and objectives of the cooperative agreements. According to its Web site, PCAR's mission is to work to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of victims of sexual assault, working at the State and national levels to prevent sexual violence. The objective of the four cooperative agreements with PCAR were to create the Aequitas: The Prosecutor's Resource on Violence Against Women in Washington, DC; to increase the capacity of victim services processionals in the U.S. Territories in responding to sexual assault survivors; to develop an increased understanding of sexual assault within the OVW Rural Grantee Program; and to develop an increased understanding of the priority needs for strengthening sexual assault advocacy in the Nation by conducting focus groups and technical assistance information-exchange events, as well as identifying priority recommendations and action steps related to sexual assault advocacy. The audit reviewed PCAR's compliance with nine essential cooperative agreement conditions and found material weaknesses in three areas. These weaknesses resulted in $336,311 in questioned costs. These results are discussed in detail in the report, and recommendations for improving performance are offered. Appended schedule of dollar-related findings, PCAR's and OVW's responses to the draft audit report, and the OIG's analysis and summary of actions necessary to close the report