Ivey awards grants to assist victims of abuse

MONTGOMERY — Several North Alabama agencies are among eight across the state to share nearly $470,000 to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and prosecute offenders.

Gov. Kay Ivey awarded the grants to eight specialized units serving 13 counties. The units provide services, including court assistance, law enforcement training and education and public outreach.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault can inflict both physical and mental wounds that are slow to heal for victims and their families,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend the specialized units in each of these counties for their commitment, dedication and bravery in holding offenders accountable and obtaining justice for victims.”

Ivey awarded the grants from funds supplied to the state through the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the awards.

“ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in supporting these law enforcement units as they help victims and prosecute offenders,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

Those awarded grants in the Tennessee Valley are:

• Etowah CountyT
  The Etowah County Commission was awarded $45,000 on behalf of the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office domestic violence unit. The unit investigates and prosecutes domestic violence and sexual assault cases.
• Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties
  The Lauderdale County District Attorney’s Office was awarded $66,725 for the One Place of the Shoals Family Justice Center. The center is a centralized community service that aids victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape and child and elder abuse in the six counties.
• Lawrence County
  The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department was awarded $60,118 to fund its domestic violence unit. The unit investigates and provides legal assistance to victims of domestic violence. The Lawrence County Commission is the grant’s fiscal agent.
• Marion and Winston counties
  The Marion County Commission was awarded $58,725 on behalf of the 25^th Judicial Circuit Violence Against Women Act  STOP program. The program investigates domestic violence cases, provides special training to law enforcement officers in the two counties and conducts education programs.
• Marshall County
  The Marshall County Commission was awarded $52,351 to provide a prosecutor in domestic violence and child abuse cases and assist victims with other needs.