Gov. Jim Justice announced that he has awarded $1,085,964 in STOP Violence Against Women grant program funds to 26 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 commit these terrible acts against women need to be held accountable. We must always do what it takes to make sure they’re brought to justice,” Gov. Justice said. “I have great pride in this important grant program because I truly believe it is making a difference that matters.”
The 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.
Those awarded funds included the following:
- Greenbrier: Family Refuge Center – $39,478
These funds provide for the enhancement and the continuation of the Greenbrier 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 Greenbrier County Prosecutor’s Office, the Family Refuge Center, and the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department.
- Monroe: Family Refuge Center – $30,044
These funds provide for the enhancement and the continuation of the Monroe 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 Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, the Family Refuge Center, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
- Statewide:
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia – $58,240
These funds provide for continued training for court personnel in domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence.
West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence – $51,300
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 – $154,422
These funds provide for training activities, the ongoing 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.
West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute – $97,432
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.
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