WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., has announced the awarding of four grants totaling $3,131,464 by the Department of Justice for programs in West Virginia intended to protect women from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
“As a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, I understand the importance of protecting and empowering women of all ages,” said Miller. “We must work to ensure women everywhere have the resources they need to live safe and happy lives.”
$750,000 of the grant money will go to Child Protect of Mercer County, Inc. in Miller’s congressional district. The rest will be used by the state’s Division of Justice and Community Services for the Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Assistance Program, the Sexual Assault Services Formula Grant Program and the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program.
Ceremonies and vigils to commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month have been taking place across West Virginia in October, including a candlelight vigil in Beckley last week to honor 31 state residents who have died a result of domestic violence during the past year.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than two-thirds of women murdered in West Virginia are killed by a family or household member.