Governor awards grant to support sexual assault victims
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $463,021 grant to help victims of sexual assault gain access to free, professional assistance through a coalition of agencies – funds that should be of direct benefit to those in need in Franklin County.
The Alabama Coalition Against Rape will use the funds to purchase equipment to provide services to clients with limited ability to speak English and those in the deaf community. Funds will also enable the coalition to obtain a statewide data management system for use by its member programs across the state. The coalition also will provide direct services to victims of sexual assault in eight counties that are currently unserved by a local agency: Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale and Marion counties in north Alabama and Choctaw, Conecuh, Covington and Monroe counties in south Alabama.
“Sexual assault is a horrible crime that affects those of all walks of life, and every victim deserves to have access to quality and timely care,” Ivey said. “I commend the work being done by the coalition and their commitment to helping all victims.”
The data management system will allow the coalition and its member programs to collect, combine and sort data based on services provided across the state. The video interpretation equipment will give victims with limited ability to speak English or who are hard-of-hearing or deaf access to visual contact with a qualified interpreter.
Coalition officials said the use of the mobile and adjustable video monitors increases the quality of services by allowing interpreters to see the client’s body language, visual cues and other non-verbal communication, which decreases miscommunication and misunderstanding.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Gov. Ivey and I fully support the mission of the Alabama Coalition Against Rape and its member agencies to provide vital help to all victims of sexual assault,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Working together, ADECA, Gov. Ivey and the coalition will ensure that this level of assistance will continue to be available.”
Ivey notified Chandra Brown, Alabama Coalition Against Rape board president, that the grants had been approved.
