Department of Justice Awards Grant To Help Domestic Violence Shelter Expand Regionally

The U.S Department of Justice has awarded a grant to Safe Harbor Children’s Center, and the Fair Haven Domestic Violence Shelter will help the Jessup shelter to establish a domestic violence/rape crisis center in Jeff Davis County. It will also enable the shelter to provide regional services for Appling, Jeff Davis, and Wayne Counties.

This grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is incredibly important, and this regional expansion will help a lot of women and children.

Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia spoke on the grant being awarded, saying:

Like all sparsely populated areas, the rural communities of the Southern District often face challenges in providing vital services to their residents. Safe Harbor and Fair Haven’s collaboration, fueled by this substantial OVW funding, will bring crisis assistance to those in need while assisting law enforcement in protecting these communities.

This grant will enable Fair Haven to be able to increase access for so many survivors who are facing increased risks of violence and sexual abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns, and budget cuts. Last August, Senior Deputy Director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Deborah DeBare, spoke on the increased risk of Intimate partner abuse and child abuse during these times. DeBare also spoke on the various challenges associated with being able to help those victims, especially in rural areas.

That’s why grants like this are so essential, especially in times like this. Being able to offer additional resources to survivors and those currently facing abuse is absolutely crucial.

Dana Mathis, Executive Director of Fair Haven:

We are honored to be able to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Justice and Safe Harbor to assist individuals who are suffering in sexual and domestic violence situations, We are proud to do our part to support the people of Georgia as we all join together to keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable for their crimes.”

This grant was awarded as part of OVW’s Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program.

Leslie Hartman, Executive Director of Safe Harbor Center, spoke on the importance of such a grant award for Fair Haven:

We are thrilled to partner with Fair Haven Domestic Violence Shelter to ensure that all survivors receive the resources they need to ensure their safety and well-being. This unique partnership allows both organizations to leverage its expertise to effectively meet the needs of and enhance the response to domestic violence and sexual assault victims in the community.

We are honored to be able to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Justice and Safe Harbor to assist individuals who are suffering in sexual and domestic violence situations. Through this effort, we will be able to work together to help those living in abusive situations to secure the services they need so their cases are investigated properly, and to ensure justice is served for the horrendous acts that they endured.”

Safe Harbor Children’s Center, and the Fair Haven Domestic Violence Shelter will use the funds to:

• Establish a regional domestic violence/rape crisis center in Jeff Davis County
• Provide two full-time and one part-time staff positions to provide client services
• Provide client transportation to the center
• Provide training to local law enforcement personnel
• Provide outreach events and increase community awareness

If you are a nonprofit seeking additional grants to fund domestic violence prevention, you will find them at the following link: – https://www.grantwatch.com/cat/32/domestic-violence-grants.html.