More than $1 million in federal grant money will go toward programs and services to help Hawaii’s victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka announced on Wednesday.  

In a statement released by his office, Inouye described a critical need for victims to have help available outside of law enforcement. 

“Some victims may not turn to law enforcement or seek support from organizations out of fear of additional brutality,” Inouye said in the statement. “The funding of such programs has always been a high priority of mine.”

Akaka said the federal money would help keep programs afloat despite a “persistent threat” of budgetary cuts at the local level. The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General will distribute the money, according to the senators.