Gov. Rick Perry grants $50-thousand to aid violence victims

Gov. Rick Perry (photo) Grants $50,000 to Aid Family Violence Victims

Gov. Rick Perry today announced a $50,000 grant to Family Services of Southeast Texas, Inc., to support a 24-hour family violence hotline, provide crisis counseling to victims of violence, and assist victims with basic needs and emergency shelter admittance in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties. This grant is awarded under the federal S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and is distributed by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division. (CJD)

"Family violence is an issue that we must address, because research shows that those who grow up in families where violence is a way of life are likely to become abusers themselves." said Gov. Perry. "It is important that we focus our limited resources on efforts to prevent family violence and to ensure that family violence victims have a path to safety and a support system to start a new life."

VAWA programs support the prevention of family violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence through projects administered by law enforcement, courts and victim services agencies. These projects provide essential services, promote outreach to underserved communities and improve training for victim advocates.

Each year, CJD awards more than $113 million in grants for a variety of juvenile justice, criminal justice and victim services programs.