SC victims’ services groups awarded more than $32 million in grants
October 11, 2022
Groups that help crime victims across South Carolina will soon be getting more than $32 million in federal and state grants. The S.C. Public Safety Coordinating Council formally approved the grants earlier this year and the projects began October 1, 2022.
The grants are distributed by the Department of Crime Victim Assistance Grants, in the Attorney General’s Office. The Department was added to the Attorney General’s Office by state law in 2017. There are three different types of grants: Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants; Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants; and State Victim Assistance Program (SVAP) grants.
“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 Alan Wilson said.
The grants are being awarded to private non-profit organizations, sheriff’s offices, police departments, solicitor’s offices, and state agencies. For example, Julie Valentine Center, based in Greenville County, is receiving two VOCA grants and one VAWA grant for approximately $667,388 to support children’s advocacy services and an array of services for adult survivors of sexual assault. Sistercare is receiving two VAWA grants and one VOCA grant totaling over $1 million to provide wraparound services, including emergency shelter and legal assistance to domestic violence survivors in Lexington, Richland, Fairfield, Kershaw, and Newberry counties. Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry Counties is receiving one VOCA award totaling $275,964 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 98 percent of the money comes from federal grants, with the remaining portion from state funds. Both VOCA and VAWA are administered by the US Department of Justice. VOCA uses non-taxpayer money from the Crime Victims Fund. VAWA is appropriated by Congress. It is important to note that VOCA funds come from federal fines and penalties, not from taxpayers, and it does not add to the national debt or deficit in any way.
You can see the Upstate groups awarded grants and the amounts here.
