Several agencies in Beaufort and Hampton counties have received millions in victim services grants from the State of South Carolina and the federal government.
On Oct. 1, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson recognized more than $29 million in state and federal grants to support crime victim services across the Palmetto State.
In the Lowcountry alone, 39 grants totaling more than $9.2 million were awarded to 30 agencies. Locally, the grants were provided primarily by funding through the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).
In Beaufort County, five of those grants brought in a total of $1,886,112:
- Child Abuse Prevention Association - VOCA grant of $322,975;
- Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office - VOCA and VAWA grants totaling $327,988;
- Hopeful Horizons - VOCA and VAWA grants totaling $1,235,149.
In Hampton County, the H.C. Sheriff's Office received an $85,759 VOCA grant. H.C. Sheriff Anthony Russell announced
this week that this funding will "strengthen our efforts to support crime victims and their families with care, guidance and resources when they need it most."
“The Hampton County Sheriff’s Office sincerely thanks Attorney General Alan Wilson, the South Carolina Public Safety Coordinating Council, and our state and federal partners for making this funding possible," Sheriff Russell said in a community release. "The citizens of Hampton County are grateful for this grant, which will strengthen our commitment to supporting crime victims and their families.”
The S.C. Public Safety Coordinating Council formally approved the grants earlier this year, and the projects were set to begin on Oct. 1, stated a release from the S.C. Attorney General's Office, which added that the grants are distributed by the Department of Crime Victim Assistance Grants within the Attorney General’s Office.
In all, there were four different types of grants: Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants; Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants; State Victim Assistance Program (SVAP) grants; and Supplemental Allocation for Victims Services (SAVS) grants.
To view the full list of grants and recipients, go to: Lowcountry Sept 30th AG Press Conference Invite Info.pdf
“These state and local agencies and non-profit groups do so much to help people who are going through traumatic circumstances. With these funds we are able to support agencies throughout the state as they assist victims of violent crime in their recovery,” Attorney General Wilson said in the statewide release.
The grants were awarded to private non-profit organizations, sheriff’s offices, police departments, solicitor’s offices, and state agencies. For example:
- Safe Passage, located in Rock Hill, is receiving a VOCA award of $721,833 to provide shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence, comprehensive child advocacy services to victims of child abuse and child sexual assault, and advocacy and therapeutic services to victims of sexual assault.
- The Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office is receiving a VAWA award of $45,382 to fund a dedicated Investigator focusing on cases of domestic violence throughout the county.
- Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry Counties is receiving one VOCA award totaling $267,306 to provide comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, including a 24-hour hotline, advocacy, and counseling.
“The grant staff of the Crime Victim Services Division in the Attorney General’s Office is honored to work with the hundreds of caring, dedicated professionals who help victims of crime every day in South Carolina,” said Barbara Jean “BJ” Nelson, Director of the Division. “Our goal is to have the most effective and the most compassionate victim service system across the United States.
Approximately 78 percent of this grant money comes from federal grants, with the remaining portion from state funds. Both VAWA and VOCA are administered by the US Department of Justice. VAWA is appropriated by Congress. VOCA uses non-taxpayer money from the Federal Crime Victims Fund, which is funded from federal fines and penalties, and it does not add to the national debt or deficit in any way, stated the release.
sept 28
National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
Yesterday, our community came together in remembrance of loved ones whose lives were taken far too soon.
Through a candlelight vigil, family members, friends, and members of our community gathered to honor and remember those we have lost to violence. Each candle represented a life, a family, a story, and a loved one who will never be forgotten.
For the families who continue to carry the pain of their loss, we stand with you. Your loved ones matter. Their lives mattered, and their memories will continue to live on.
Hampton County Sheriff’s Office is honored to stand alongside these families as we remember, reflect, and keep their loved ones’ memories alive.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Beaufort, Hampton County agencies earn millions in victim services grants
