Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $73,346 to assist victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault and child and elderly abuse in northwest Alabama.
The grant will enable One Place of the Shoals to provide services for victims in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence and Winston counties.
“Victims of these horrendous crimes and their families need to have a place to turn to during these traumatic times,” Ivey said. “Having a place of refuge with a staff that understands what victims are experiencing is so important in the recovery process.”
One Place offers collaborative services in a centralized and safe location to help victims overcome trauma. It provides advocacy and counseling services for victims and conducts community education programs to bring awareness of abuse and advertise the services it provides.
The agency also works with law enforcement and prosecutorial professionals to ensure that offenders are brought to justice. One Place collects forensic evidence needed in prosecuting offenders and interacts with law enforcement agencies investigating cases.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department. ADECA has awarded numerous grants to agencies like One Place to ensure services are available to victims across Alabama.
“Through a cooperative effort, these services are available to victims who often feel that they have nowhere to turn or that no one understands their ordeal,” ADECA Director Jim Byard said. “While no one likes to talk or think of these types of crimes being committed, I truly value the local, state and federal partnerships that ensure these agencies are there to provide care and compassion.”
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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Contact Jim Plott or Mike Presley