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Special to the Signal

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $64,822 grant to provide a helping hand through the criminal justice system to low-income domestic violence victims in Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes and Pike counties.

The grant announced on Wednesday, Nov. 8 will enable Legal Services of Alabama Inc. to continue helping domestic violence victims with legal matters that affect their ability to gain independence from their abusers. The organization also assists in related matters such as housing to help abuse victims gain independence.

“Domestic violence is a horrible crime that crosses all socioeconomic boundaries and damages families,” Ivey said. “I commend Legal Services of Alabama for helping survivors overcome some of the barriers that might otherwise prevent them from escaping abuse.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.      

“Ensuring that victims of domestic violence have access to the resources to get free from their abusers is crucial, and Legal Services provides valuable assistance to victims in these counties” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is proud to stand with Gov. Ivey in support of the work Legal Services performs to help the survivors of this terrible crime.”

ADECA manages a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim services, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.

Ivey notified Jaffe Pickett, the organization’s interim executive director, that the grant was approved.