Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet announced Wednesday more than $37 million in grant funding to 133 crime victim service providers.
In remarks during his COVID-19 briefing Wednesday, the governor said the funds are part of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program.
Beshear added this year’s VOCA total represents a 511% increase over the amount awarded in 2015, $6.2 million when only 77 programs received funds. Of the total grant funding announced, an estimated $9.5 million will help to provide services to domestic violence and $8 million will go toward services for victims of sexual assault or human trafficking. About $9.2 million will go to Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC), Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, and agencies providing residential care and mental health services for child abuse victims.
An estimated $2.6 million will go to prosecutor-based programs providing advocacy services for victims of crime in jurisdictions around the commonwealth. Funding also will go to programs that serve victims with disabilities, elderly victims, and other victims of crime.
Among organizations statewide receiving funds from VOCA include the Christian County Attorney’s Office and Sanctuary Inc.
Also, Governor Beshear said he signed a proclamation Wednesday morning during a special news conference with Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The fund is replenished each year through fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalties, and special assessments collected from federal offenders by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, federal U.S. courts, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. No tax money supports the Crime Victim’s Fund.
