SC Attorney General dedicates $38 million to help crime victims

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced $38 million in grants for organizations that help victims of crimes.

He made the announcement in York County while surrounded by people who are dedicated to helping victims, such as battered woman or abused children.

The federal grant money will be used to either expand support organizations or continue to help victims.

More than $2 million is expected to be given to programs in York County.

Jada Charley runs Safe Passage, a women’s shelter for domestic violence victims, and said the grant will make a big difference.

“It allows us to have advocates on-call 24 hours a day, so that if a sexual assault victim comes to the hospital, we can respond to that victim and be there for that victim,” Charley said.

The money will be spread across the state, but in York County, much of the money will go toward non-profits. The money will be used for victims of human trafficking, shelters for abused women and children, forensic nurse examiners, interviewers for children and many other programs.

Safe Passage received $742,856. The Children's Attention Home, which houses neglected children, will get $482,447. The Catawba Indian Nation received $108,525.

Catawba Indian Chief Bill Harris said the money will provide a therapist to counsel sexual assault and domestic violence victims.

"When you look at the people who came here today. This is that group who's there, meeting those needs," Harris said.

Cox Media Group