MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded more than $221,000 to curtail domestic violence and assist victims in southwest Alabama.
The governor awarded grants to five agencies and offices serving the region. The grants will support programs ranging from stepping up efforts to prosecute offenders to educating the public about domestic violence.
“Domestic violence can devastate individuals and tear families apart,” Gov. Ivey said. “These funds will ensure that victims get the protection they need and that offenders are prosecuted.”
Grants awarded are:
- $56,000 to the Escambia County Commission to help the District Attorney’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department to establish a domestic violence unit to investigate and prosecute domestic violence and sexual violence offenders.
- $50,000 to the Mobile County Commission to allow the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office to team up with Penelope House, a domestic violence shelter, to provide data on domestic violence cases which could lead to more arrests, and in some instances in stiffer sentences for offenders.
- $33,000 to the Baldwin County Family Violence Shelter to assist victims in Baldwin, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties with shelter, court advocacy and other assistance through the center’s Lighthouse Court Advocacy Program.
- $44,558 to the Family Counseling Center of Mobile to provide domestic violence awareness and outreach programs in Clarke, Mobile and Washington counties.
- $38,000 to Penelope House of Mobile to support educational programs and work with other agencies regarding referrals for victims in Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile and Washington counties.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“These grants represent a multi-faceted approach to assisting domestic violence victims, prosecuting offenders and informing the public how they can help in these situations,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Ivey and these organizations and agencies in providing services.”
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
-30-
Media Contact
Jim Plott or Mike Presley
ADECA Communications and External Affairs
(334) 242-5525
