Kay Ivey awards $1.89M to help victims of domestic violence, elder abuse
The Alabama Governor’s Office announced $1.89 million in grants funding to support organizations and programs that help victims of domestic violence and elder abuse throughout the state. Gov. Kay Ivey made the announcement on Friday. “No one should ever have to experience the horrors of domestic violence or elder abuse, but there is hope for those who unfortunately do become victims,” Ivey said. “The programs supported by these grants will help ensure that professional assistance is available and that justice is obtained for the survivors.” The grants breakdown $1.56 million grant: awarded to the Alabama Department of Human Resources to support their Adult Protective Services division that provides emergency in-home services and temporary placement option for victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Two grants, totaling $250,781: given to support the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence as they serve their member programs and shelters throughout the state. The organization provides training, education and outreach on domestic violence issues, and their member shelters provide counseling, support groups and other vital services. $80,000 grant: allotted to help the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services to train law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, domestic violence shelter staff and other criminal justice agencies that investigate and prosecute abusers or assist victims of domestic violence. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants from multiple funding sources, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the state’s General Fund and the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, which was created through the state marriage license fee. Those funds are used to provide shelter for victims and to conduct educational and prevention programs. “Gov. Ivey understands the important roles these agencies play in helping domestic violence and elder abuse victims,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join her in supporting these programs that provide important assistance to victims at a time they need it the most.”
Alabama animal shelter program to aid domestic violence victims
An Alabama animal shelter is launching a new program to assist victims of domestic violence with pets. WBMA-TV reports that the Shelby Humane Society will officially open its Safe Pet program in 2018, but has already helped three families escaping domestic violence. The shelter’s executive director, David Arias, says they’ve received guidance from the YWCA of Central Alabama and the Safe House organization and are working with local domestic violence organizations, with the goal of temporarily placing victims’ pets with foster families, boarding organization and veterinarians until families get re-established, as few women’s shelters accept animals. The pets will also receive medical care and food. Arias says the programs empowers women to leave abusive relationships without leaving their pets. Similar programs exist nationwide and internationally. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Alabama Senate OKs more money for domestic violence coalition
Legislation passed the Senate last week, which will provide “significant funding” for the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV), an organization that provides support and advocacy to battered women and their children. SB 123 from Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) ensures that the organization will receive $169,633 for fiscal year 2016. Further, the bill has an “accountability mechanism to protect taxpayers,” which will require ACADV to provide an operations plan and financial statements quarterly and annually. “A Senate Republican legislative priority for this year is to protect families and children,” Melson said in a news release. “Providing adequate funding for domestic violence support and prevention will give hope to people who find themselves in a seemingly hopeless situation.” According to the group’s website, about 1 in 3 women is assaulted by a partner during adulthood and two-thirds of those assaulted by an intimate partner say they were victimized several times by the same partner over a 12-month period. More than 3 million children witness violence against their mothers or female caretakers by family members and alcohol abuse is cited in about 50 percent of all abusive relationships. Officials with the ACADV were unavailable to comment on the impact of the legislation.
Proving public support matters, owner finds justice for Rufus
Several months ago we covered the story of Rufus, a terrier brutally killed by one of his owners who at the time was going through a divorce. A petition, which garnered 3,468 signatures to date, was started to maintain the level of crime as a felony based on the particular brutality of the case. It looks as though the public outcry for justice was successful. AL.Com reports that Monday, former attorney James Stewart Robinson, entered a guilty plea to one count of first-degree cruelty to a dog or cat, a class C felony, and one count of third-degree domestic violence. There was a recommended sentence of probation that will be formalized at a sentencing hearing to be held in August. Jeff Bonzo, a friend of Rufus’ owner who promoted the petition, wrote on a Facebook page where it received a lot of community support, “Honestly, without all of you taking action and circulating that petition as rabidly as y’all did … there wouldn’t have been anything to post or, God forbid, there would’ve been different news. I truly believe that as does Rufus’ owner and her husband.”
Federal judge Mark Fuller resigns amidst domestic violence allegations
According to various news reports, an Alabama federal court judge accused of domestic violence has delivered his resignation to President Barack Obama. AL.com is reporting that attorneys for U.S. District Court Judge Mark Fuller have confirmed the judge’s resignation effective August 1st. Last summer, Judge Fuller was arrested for alleged battery of his wife, Kerri Fuller. Several members of Congress have urged a thorough investigation of the case, including U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell who has called for the federal judge’s impeachment. In a written statement following Judge Fuller’s announcement, the Congresswoman had this to say: “News of Judge Fuller’s impending resignation is a welcome outcome to a very painful breach of the public trust. His resignation will be the culmination of a drawn out process that was woefully unnecessary. The public trust was violated the moment his wife phoned the police. “Justice was not served. We sent the wrong message to victims of domestic violence by allowing a federal judge to collect a paycheck — without managing a caseload — and ultimately having his record expunged. “Fuller failed to uphold our most fundamental values. Perhaps the only consolation is that he has chosen to spare his family and our nation of the expense of a drawn out impeachment process.”
Women of Influence: Alabama’s First Lady Dianne Bentley
The most fitting woman for our inaugural Woman of Influence profiles is Alabama’s first lady Dianne Bentley. Watch out Tennessee: If our first lady has anything to do with it you won’t be the only Volunteer State. Assuming the role Jan.17, 2011, Bentley is the perfect role model to inspire Alabama women to find a local cause they can invest their time in to make a real difference in the lives of others. Long after Gov. Robert Bentley‘s term ends the first lady’s work to improve and bring attention to Alabama’s Domestic Violence Prevention and Family Justice Centers will continue to save and change lives. We don’t like to talk about it, but domestic violence affects men, women and children across Alabama and the nation. Dianne Bentley isn’t offering shallow photo op or bumper sticker solutions: She has pushed for real changes to the system, and she’s not doing it alone. Among her resources is former Florida first lady Columba Bush, well known and nationally recognized for her efforts in the Sunshine State to strengthen the system to protect victims and prevent violence. After visiting every shelter in the Alabama and talking to advocates, victims and professionals, Bentley said last month that she’s advocating domestic violence prevention legislation to strengthen Alabama’s system. According to her office, “The First Lady Dianne Bentley Domestic Violence Prevention Legislation aims to modernize domestic violence laws, increase state funds toward lifesaving services for victims and their children, and strengthen victim protection through law enforcement and judicial provisions.” Working with the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence Bentley is helping those who need it most. However, she’s not going to spend her time leading our state with only a singular initiative – no matter how large it is. Bentley is also working to bring attention to adoption and foster care issues. In her official biography, the Office of the First Lady tells about her and the governor’s children: “Two of their sons are adopted but they have been loved so long no one remembers which two.” The Bentleys have committed to ensuring every child in the state welfare system receives the same kind of love as their children. She has headlined events, discussed this important issue with the media, and has made it a focal point of her time as first lady. Every community, every woman, every man, every child deserve to be loved and cared for, and our first lady is providing the leadership to do it. So we salute you, first lady Dianne Bentley. Thank you for being a woman we all admire, a woman we can all emulate in bestowing the gift of our time and talents to tackle tough subjects. There’s is no one more appropriate to be Alabama Today’s first Woman of Influence. Victims of domestic violence can call the state’s hotline at (800) 650-6522 to receive information about the nearest available domestic violence shelter. More resources can be found on the website for the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
