MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $160,000, including $75,000 in economic stimulus funds, to support a program that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Montgomery.
The grants will enable the Violence Against Women Prosecution Unit to continue its work to assist victims and ensure abusers are brought to justice.
“It is very important that victims of these terrible crimes receive support and know that someone is fighting on their behalf,” said Riley.
The stimulus funding will permit the prosecution unit to purchase and implement an electronic record-keeping system that will aid in case preparation and maintenance of files relating to the victim and defendant.
The unit, a specialized team within the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, includes a deputy district attorney who prosecutes cases and a victims service officer who assists victims throughout the legal process.
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. A portion of the funding was made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Riley notified Elton Dean, chairman of the Montgomery County Commission, that the grant had been approved. The County Commission is the fiscal agent for the award.
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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers