Tribune file photo
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced the award of a $6.3 million grant to support crime victims, as they navigate the criminal justice system.
The grant was awarded to the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services to provide 88 certified victim service officers throughout the state. The officers will be stationed at local district attorneys’ offices and will assist crime victims with information, referrals, updates, court accompaniment and other direct services as needed.
“The criminal justice system can seem intimidating to people who have been victims of crime,” Governor Ivey said. “I am pleased to support this program which will provide knowledgeable professionals to help crime victims understand the court process and ensure that they know of other community resources that may further assist them.”
Victim service officers are professionals trained to support victims of crime. They offer victims information, emotional support and help finding resources and filling out paperwork. The officers also may accompany victims to court proceedings and contact criminal justice or social service agencies to obtain assistance or information for victims.
Ivey notified Barry Matson, executive director of the Office of Prosecution Services that the grant had been approved.
“This groundbreaking partnership between the governor, Alabama’s district attorneys and ADECA is a model for the nation. No one chooses to be a victim of crime. Through criminal and often violent acts of others, victims are forced into a vast and intimidating criminal justice system,” Director Matson said. “They are forced to find out how strong they are, because it’s the only choice they have. District attorneys, challenged by meager resources, have long stood with victims of crime. But with tens of thousands of felonies a year, it has proved daunting. With the help of Governor Ivey, Alabama’s district attorneys will better ease the pain and anxiety caused by crime, while providing comfort, information and guidance to victims.”
Tom Anderson is district attorney for Coffee and Pike counties and president of the Alabama District Attorneys Association.
“This grant is a major benefit for victims, victims’ families and district attorneys across Alabama. In some circuits where money for victim’s assistance is especially tight, it’s a real game-changer,” Anderson said. “Many more victims of crimes and their families will have someone in the DA office to both comfort them and assist them through the process of obtaining justice. We are extremely grateful to the governor, ADECA and everyone who assisted in making this grant possible.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Victims of Crime Act.
“ADECA is pleased join Gov. Ivey in support of crime victims in Alabama, and we commend the Office of Prosecution Services and the victim services officers who will be directly helping those in need,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
ADECA manages a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim services, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation development.
