According to data distributed by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, almost 23,000 Alabamians were victims of reported violent crimes in 2019. The crimes committed included:
- assault (i.e. domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse)
- burglary
- robbery
- homicide
Victims of these crimes may suffer physical and emotional trauma that they need help to overcome. They may also need help navigating the legal system as they seek justice against those who harmed them. Many great organizations exist that help victims of violent crimes. Yet, they often struggle to maintain the financial resources to help those in need.
Wiregrass Organizations Receive Grants to Help Crime Victims
Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced that 7 organizations in the Wiregrass, which provide services to victims of violent crimes, will receive grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). The organizations will use the grants, totaling more than $1.4 million, to aid their work providing services for:
- child abuse victims
- domestic abuse victims
- robbery victims
- family members affected by homicide
The following Wiregrass organizations will receive grant monies.
- Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center will receive $266,000. It is in Dothan and provides services to child abuse victims in Houston, Henry, Geneva, and Dale counties.
- Exchange Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse will receive $184,000. The Exchange Center has offices in Dothan and Geneva. They provide services for adults and children affected by child abuse. They service victims in Barbour, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike counties.
- Pike Regional Child Advocacy and Family Resource Center will receive $114,000. Located in Troy, the center offers services for child abuse victims in Pike County as well as Barbour, Bullock, and Coffee counties.
- Covington County Child Advocacy Center Inc. will receive $95,000. The center services child abuse victims in Covington County and its office is in Andalusia.
- House of Ruth, Inc. will receive $519,000. The House of Ruth is located in Dothan. It serves women and children affected by domestic violence in Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike counties.
- South Alabama Victim Services Collaborative will receive $140,000. The Collaborative is based in Andalusia and serves victims of domestic violence in Covington County.
- The final grant, $167,000, will go to the Wiregrass Angel House. This organization has a location in Dothan. It offers help to victims of robbery and families affected by homicide in Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike counties.
In the news release announcing the grants, Gov. Ivey said, “I commend the staff and volunteers of these organizations, and I appreciate their dedication to serving crime victims in our Wiregrass areas.”