MONTGOMERY— Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded grants totaling $217,540 to support programs that assist domestic violence victims and prosecute abuse cases in six east Alabama counties.
Bentley awarded grants of $30,000 to 2nd Chance Inc., $45,540 to the Calhoun County Commission, $91,000 to the Etowah County Commission and $51,000 to the Talladega County Commission.
“Domestic violence is a terrible crime, and those who are guilty must be held accountable,” Bentley said. “I commend these programs for their hard work helping victims, investigating abuse cases and prosecuting offenders.”
Anniston-based 2nd Chance will use its grant to provide an advocacy program to assist victims in Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and Talladega counties. The organization also conducts educational presentations to increase awareness of domestic violence and the assistance available to victims.
The grant to the Calhoun County Commission will support the District Attorney’s Office’s Family Violence Trial Unit which prosecutes abuse cases and assists victims with needed services in Calhoun and Cleburne counties.
The Etowah County Commission will use its grant to support the Sheriff’s Office’s Domestic Violence Unit which investigates domestic violence and sexual assault cases in the county.
The grant to the Talladega County Commission will support the 29th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence Crime Unit. The unit comprises two assistant district attorneys who prosecute cases and a victim service officer who coordinates with other agencies to ensure victims receive needed assistance.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department.
“Domestic violence takes a physical and emotional toll on victims and damages families,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “ADECA works with specialized domestic violence crime units and support organizations across the state to assist victims. I commend the work of these to help obtain justice for the victims of these senseless crimes in the county.”
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
Contact: Mike Presley or Jennifer Ardis Elmore