Grant To Be Used To Help Victims Of Domestic Violence

The City of Roanoke has been awarded a $350,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women to be used to develop a supervised visitation and safe exchange program for families of domestic violence.

The two-year grant, written in collaboration with Total Against Poverty (TAP), will provide resources for the Safe Havens Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program, which will improve the variety and accessibility of supervised visitation and exchange services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It will also provide safety planning for victims and support services to non-English speaking victims through translation services.

The application for funds to provide such critical services was submitted in January 2006 in the wake of increases in domestic-related homicides. Additionally, in February 2006, a Domestic Violence Task Force was formed to study the problems as well as appropriate interventions and strategies related to domestic violence in the City of Roanoke. The task force was organized as a result of the leadership of Councilman Sherman Lea, who serves as its chairman.

“Roanoke City Council takes the issue of domestic violence very seriously,” says Councilman Sherman Lea. “The Safe Havens Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program for Families of Domestic Violence will certainly work hand-in-hand with the Task Force's efforts, enhancing our ability to help victims of domestic violence in this community. This new program is an important building block to add to the foundation already in place that establishes our commitment.” Read more at roanokeva.gov