Maryland authorities distributed more than $9 million in grants to dozens of agencies working to stop violence against women and help crime victims. The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention awarded the funds from two federal programs: $2.2 million to 61 groups through the Violence Against Women Act and $7.6 million to 63 agencies through the Victims of Crime Act.
In announcing the domestic violence grants, Gov. Martin O’Malley said the state is aiming to reduce violent crimes against women and children by 25 percent by the end of next year.
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Achieving that goal will require focusing on prevention efforts to create shifts in how women and children are treated, said Jennie Boden, executive director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
The funding comes as the Maryland suburbs of D.C. have seen an unusual spate of domestic violence. In just the past month, a man was charged with murdering his estranged wife in Germantown and is suspected of killing his 11-year-old stepson and a Gaithersburg man was arrested in the slaying of his 12-year-old stepdaughter.
“We need these resources to enhance prosecution of domestic abusers and to support the professionals who help victims through the legal system with dignity,” Doug Gansler, the state’s attorney general, said.
Boden said her organization will use its $101,000 in domestic-violence grants to help nontraditional service providers — such as faith groups and smaller nonprofits — in underserved communities be prepared to help victims and to provide training for forensic nurses.
Some local organizations receiving funding include:
» Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, for a protective order enforcement project
» Montgomery and Prince George’s state’s attorneys’ offices for domestic violence prosecution efforts
» Montgomery County government for a multicultural intervention program for child abuse victims
» Family Crisis Center, Inc., of Prince George’s County for an emergency shelter program
