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Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded just over $240,000 to provide services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault along with training for law enforcement and prosecutors in 11 west Alabama counties.

Two agencies serving Marengo County received some of that funding.

Tuscaloosa SAFE Center Inc. has received $54,610 to provide forensic exams, case management, follow-up care, advocacy, therapy and support groups to victims of sexual violence in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties.

SAN Inc., better known as Turning Point, has received grants of $29,110 and $39,610 for a range of services including a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, counseling and court advocacy in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties.

“These grants will help bring perpetrators to justice and provide victims with a safe haven and a path to recovery,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend these local agencies in west Alabama for working to build safer communities by fighting these horrific crimes.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants with funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“The programs funded by these grants are vital for victims seeking justice, shelter and healing,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of these organizations and the important work they do on behalf of victims.”

The Marion County Commission has received $59,217 for the 25th Judicial Circuit’s Services, Training, Officers and Prosecutors (STOP) Project, which serves Marion and Winston counties. This project offers community education, centralized prosecution and law enforcement training to increase reporting and decrease overall incidents of domestic violence.

The Pickens County Commission will use its $59,217 grant to support the 24th Judicial Circuit’s Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit, which provides specialized training, investigative services and statistical coordination for cases in Fayette, Lamar and Pickens counties.