(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that he has approved the awarding of more than $17.5 million in state and federal grants to victim service agencies throughout the state. These grants are part of the annual awards of the State Victims Assistance Act and the federal Victims of Crime Act, coordinated by the Crime Victim Section of the Attorney General’s Office.
“The compassionate work these agencies do is vital and provides great support to those who have been the victims of crime,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “As a former county prosecutor, I have seen first hand how important victims’ services are in the healing process, and I am pleased to be able to grant these awards.”
Of the total awarded, about $3.4 million was provided through the State Victim Assistance Act with funding from Ohio’s Crime Victim Compensation Fund. Monies for the fund come from federal sources, court costs paid by defendants statewide, and driver’s license reinstatement fees. Administered by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the fund helps thousands of crime victims annually through grants to nonprofits and public agencies and eligible reimbursements to victims for some of the costs they incurred because of the crimes against them.
The federal Victims of Crime Act provided the balance of the total grants announced today. These awards are administered by a number of agencies across the country.
A list of all grants awarded to Ohio victim service agencies is available online at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/2012VOCAGrants.
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