Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin joined Kentucky State Police (KSP) and other agencies Thursday to announce an initiative to provide trained advocates at every KSP post to support and assist victims of crime.
According to Governor Bevin’s office, this initiative will make them among the first state police agency to implement the program on a statewide basis. The Victim Advocate Support Services program will launch this fall with a dual purpose. Advocates will administer care to crime victims or those involved in traumatic events. The advocates will connect those in need with immediate resources, including; mental health services, crisis intervention or legal support.
Whitney Westerfield, Third District State Senator tells the News Edge this is a fantastic development for Kentucky residents.
He adds there is one downside to Thursday’s announcement.
The governor’s office reports the program is funded through the Department of Justice’s Victims of Crime Advocacy grant program, which is providing KSP with $2.5-million, after a $632,000 match.
Westerfield notes this initiative becomes even more important if Marsys Law ever gets passed.
Westerfield is the sponsor of Marsys Law, a law in which Kentucky residents showed strong support of during the 2018 General Election, but was struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
KSP Commissioner Rick Sanders says they opened more than 8,000 criminal cases involving more than 10,000 victims statewide in 2018. KSP is in the process of interviewing and hiring victim advocates and will begin offering those services as soon as the process is complete.
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