Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday that nearly $570,000 in grant funds have been awarded to five Douglas County organizations to bolster support for crime victims and survivor services.
Nearly $15 million has been awarded to organizations across Kansas through the 2024 federal Victims of Crime Act grant program. The program aims to enhance access to justice, support individuals impacted by the justice system, and strengthen community safety, according to a Friday news release from Kelly’s office.
“Crime victims and survivor services are critical to the well-being of impacted Kansans,” Kelly said in the release. “This funding ensures these organizations can continue providing services to get victims and survivors the support and justice they deserve.”
The VOCA grants aim to help with the emotional, psychological and physical needs of crime victims and survivors through direct services, according to the release. Services include court advocacy and criminal justice support, crisis counseling, forensic interviews, and shelter, transportation, and transitional housing.
Douglas County grant recipients include:
• Child Advocacy Center of Douglas County: $41,003
• Douglas County CASA: $17,677
• Douglas County District Attorney’s Office: $64,571
• The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center: $182,726
• The Willow Domestic Violence Center: $263,559
The grants will help the local organizations continue providing services such as court advocacy, crisis counseling, shelter and support to victim-survivors in Douglas County.
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Resources for survivors
If you have experienced sexual violence or trauma, please seek the help that’s right for you. There are many options available, and you don’t have to file a police report if you don’t want to.
Get 24/7 help in Lawrence: The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center
- Call 785-843-8985 to reach an advocate, 24/7. (Consider saving that number in your phone in case you or someone you know ever needs it.)
- After an assault: What are my options? Check this page for detailed information about
- talking to an advocate,
- going to the hospital,
- making a police report,
- and/or talking to a counselor or therapist.
- On campus? Check this page for specific resources for the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Baker University, Ottawa University and more.
Resources on KU’s campus:
- Contact CARE (Campus Assistance, Resource, and Education) Services: KU students can make an appointment online at careservices.ku.edu, by email, care@ku.edu, or by calling 785-864-9255. It’s free, confidential and voluntary to talk with the CARE Coordinator. All genders welcome. Read more here.
- Find more KU campus resources at this link. Specific information about sexual assault exams can be found under the “Medical Care” tab.
- Connect with KU CARE Companions on Instagram. (Note: CARE Companions are KU students in the Panhellenic community that offer peer support and info about resources, but this is not an advocacy service like others listed here.)
Domestic violence situations: The Willow Domestic Violence Center
- Reach the Willow for help 24/7 at 785-843-3333.
- Find more resources on the Willow’s website at this link.
More resources
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) for 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives that is culturally appropriate.
- National hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, and/or visit thehotline.org to chat and learn more, 24/7.
This post is by the Lawrence Times news team.
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