More than six million dollars in federal grants will help 90 agencies, police and district attorney offices to better protect victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The funding will provide added support and justice for victims. The grants also pay for health care professionals who examine victims and collect evidence, for counselors, investigators and prosecutors.
The money comes from the federal Violence Against Women Act. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter was an original author.
Here in Monroe County, Alternatives for Battered Women can add to its services for domestic violence victims as they transition from a shelter back to the community and Rochester Police get help paying for a counselor.
In a statement released to WXXI, Rep. Louise Slaughter, an original author of VAWA said, “The programs established through VAWA help survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives with assistance in all these areas. I am proud to support VAWA and the excellent organizations here in Rochester that benefit from the grant programs it established.”
The grants also allow the state Coalition Against Sexual Assault to develop protocols and training that better address sexual assaults on college campuses.
Additional resources for several area counties are paid for using the federal funding and are show below:
Chances & Changes (Livingston County):
- $35,600 to partially fund three domestic violence victims’ advocates.
Victims Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, Inc. (Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties):
- $35,600 for bilingual services for limited English proficient and immigrant domestic violence/sexual assault victims.
Alternatives for Battered Women, Inc. (Monroe County):
- $35,600 to expand services for domestic violence victims transitioning from a shelter to community living.
Planned Parenthood of Western New York (Monroe County):
- $47,170 to partially fund a program coordinator and training expenses for a sexual assault nurse examiner program.
Rochester City Police Department (Monroe County):
- $35,600 to partially fund a civilian counseling specialist to assist domestic violence victims.
Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office:
- $32,624 to improve systems response through a domestic violence taskforce and improve evidence collection through the purchase and use of wearable cameras for law enforcement.
Livingston County District Attorney’s Office:
- $35,600 for partial funding for an assistant district attorney, investigator and probation officer and to partner with Changes and Changes Inc. to provide domestic violence services and civil legal services.