On September 23, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the Defending Childhood Initiative, making it a priority for the U.S. Department of Justice to reduce high levels of violence and its impact on children. The initiative seeks to prevent children’s exposure to violence as victims and witnesses, more fully understand the impact of violence on children and mitigate its effects, and develop best practices. The initiative will fund demonstration sites, research, and public awareness. Eight demonstration planning grants were awarded to cities (including Boston and Portland , Maine
