MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded three grants totaling $48,508 to help child victims of abuse and adult sexual assault victims in southwest Alabama.

The funding, which supplements grants awarded in late 2008, will help three organizations retain staff members and continue providing services to victims during the current economic downturn.

“Victims of child abuse and sexual assault need access to compassionate care immediately after an attack,” said Riley. “I am pleased to help these organizations maintain a competent, professional staff to serve victims in southwest Alabama.”

A $25,698 grant will help the Mobile Children’s Advocacy Center continue offering individual and group counseling services to child victims and family members not involved in the abuse. The center serves victims in Mobile County.

A grant of $12,250 will help the Baldwin County Family Violence Program continue serving victims of sexual assault in Baldwin and Escambia counties through its Lighthouse Sexual Assault Program. The services offered include a 24-hour crisis line, court advocacy and counseling.

The Family Counseling Center of Mobile Inc. will use a $10,560 grant to assist sexual assault victims in Clarke, Mobile and Washington counties. Services include a 24-hour crisis line, counseling, hospital accompaniment and medical exams by a specially-trained nurse.

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 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama earlier this year.

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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers