MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $406,500 to ensure that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault continue to have access to professional care.
A $150,000 grant will help the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence develop and implement policies on the handling of domestic violence cases. The guidelines assist sheriffs, court officers, probation officers and health education teachers in their duties. An additional $60,000 grant from economic stimulus funds will help the coalition retain jobs. The group supports local domestic violence task forces and helps develop policies for justice programs, employment assistance programs and health care providers.
The Alabama Coalition Against Rape will use a $140,000 grant to train nurses to conduct proper examinations of sexual assault victims, train law enforcement personnel about juvenile rape, date rape, drug-facilitated rape and spousal rape, and act as a clearinghouse for sexual assault information. The group works with 15 rape crisis centers across the state to ensure they remain in compliance with approved standards. Gov. Riley also awarded an economic stimulus grant of $56,500 to help retain staff positions at the coalition.
“I commend these organizations for their efforts to ensure that victims receive the professional care they need,” said Riley.
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 of 2009.
Riley notified Martha Salter, president of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Trace Fleming-Smith, president of the Coalition Against Rape, that the grants had been approved.
