The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has accepted two federal grants totaling $166,501 to assist crime victims and prosecute cases of violence against women.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division was awarded $96,501 from the Victims of Crime Act block grant program. The funding will create three new full-time positions: a victim/witness coordinator and two victim/witness advocates. A 20 percent local match of $24,125, is required.
The program will allow victim/witness advocates to be on-scene with first responders. “Advocates will serve as support to the victim (explaining the next steps, what can be expected, and put them in touch with other agencies for further assistance – emotional, financial and medical),” a staff report said.
Separately, a $70,000 grant under the STOP Violence Against Women Act is a continuing grant. It will enable the District Attorney’s office to continue its Violence Against Women Prosecution Unit and fund a prosecutor and part-time investigator, staff said. A required local match of $23,333 is in-kind and made up of existing salary.
This is the same level of VAWA funding that has been received for the last seven years, staff said.
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