MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded nearly $440,000 to help reduce sexual assault in North Alabama and assist victims.
The three grants total $438,599 and cover 12 counties in the Tennessee Valley. The funds will ensure victims can receive medical attention, counseling and support, Ivey said today. Agencies receiving funds also assist law enforcement agencies in pursuing and prosecuting offenders.
“Sexual assault is a hideous and inexcusable crime that even with medical help and counseling can leave long-lasting emotional scars,” Ivey said. “I commend these agencies for reaching out and providing care and compassion to help victims in their critical time of need.”
Agencies awarded funds and their coverage areas are:
- One Place of the Shoals (Florence) – $101,052 to provide services in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties.
- Crisis Services of North Alabama Inc. (Huntsville) – $191,432 to provide services in Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties.
- Family Services of North Alabama (Guntersville) – $146,115 to provide services in DeKalb and Marshall counties.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“ADECA stands with Gov. Ivey in her support of these agencies that are there at all times to provide comfort and understanding for victims, and we fully endorse the governor’s tenacity in seeing that offenders are prosecuted,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
