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CHARLESTON -- Gov. Jim Justice announced Tuesday that he has awarded $1,129,924 in STOP Violence Against Women grant program funds to 27 projects across West Virginia.
The purpose of these funds is to establish or enhance teams whose core members include victim service providers, law enforcement, and prosecution to improve the criminal justice system's response to violence against women.
"The people who perpetuate these terrible crimes against women absolutely need to be brought to justice every time," Gov. Justice said. "The trauma they cause is profound and we need to do everything we can to stop these incidents of violence from occurring. That's why I take pride in this grant program. It's truly going to make a difference that matters."
Grants provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for the establishment or enhancement of these teams.
Additionally, statewide projects are funded to provide training and educational opportunities for all victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecution, and court personnel throughout the state.
These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, and are administered by the Division of Administrative Services, Justice and Community Services.
Funds were awarded to the following:
RANDOLPH
Women's Aid in Crisis – $19,107
These funds provide for the enhancement and the continuation of the Randolph County STOP Team to improve the criminal justice system's response to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. The core team includes the Randolph County Prosecutor's Office, Women's Aid in Crisis, and the Randolph County Sheriff's Department.
UPSHUR
Upshur County Commission – $30,000
These funds provide for the enhancement and the continuation of the Upshur County STOP Team to improve the criminal justice system's response to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. The core team includes the Upshur County Prosecutor's Office, Women's Aid in Crisis, and the Buckhannon Police Department.
GRANT
Family Crisis Center, Inc. – $5,173
These funds provide for the enhancement and the continuation of the Grant County STOP Team to improve the criminal justice system's response to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence. The core team includes the Grant County Prosecutor's Office, the Family Crisis Center, and the Grant County Sheriff's Department.
STATEWIDE
West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence – $51,296
These funds provide for the continued enhancement of the statewide domestic and sexual violence database; to provide training and technical assistance for STOP Teams, Allied Professionals and Domestic Violence Programs on cultural diversity and cultural competency.
West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information & Services – $158,624
These funds provide for training activities, the on-going development and capacity building of service providers to victims of sexual assault, dating violence and stalking crimes, and to provide training and resources for these programs to provide services to sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking victims.
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia – $55,827
These funds provide for continued training for court personnel in domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence.
West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute – $38,388
These funds provide for the development and continuation of strengthening prosecution strategies and best practices as well as improving prosecution-based victim services in cases involving violence against women through training and the development of resources.