MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Gov. Kay Ivey has reaffirmed her support for domestic violence victims by pledging additional funding through the state’s Domestic Violence Trust Fund.
The fund, created in 2015, is generated through marriage recording fees and distributed quarterly to domestic violence shelters and related programs. Fourteen domestic violence shelters across the state will receive financial support to provide safe havens for victims and their families.
The following regional agencies and counties will benefit:
The House of Ruth serves Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike counties.
Penelope House serves Choctaw, Clarke, Mobile, and Washington counties.
Baldwin Family Violence Shelter (The Lighthouse) serves Baldwin, Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe counties.
Gov. Ivey also announced $105,757 for the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which oversees and assists regional shelters, and $80,000 to the Office of Prosecution Services for investigating and prosecuting domestic violence cases.
“These funds are key to helping provide safe havens for domestic violence victims and innocent family members who must escape abusive situations,” Gov. Ivey said.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) manages the trust fund. ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell praised Gov. Ivey for her continued support.
In the first three quarters of 2024, $1.1 million has been distributed to agencies across the state. Funding amounts are determined by marriage recording fees, population size, and the number of domestic violence cases reported in each area.
The funds will help shelters provide critical services, including safe housing, counseling, and legal support, ensuring victims and their families have resources to rebuild their lives.
