Governor Abbott Announces $133 Million In Local Criminal Justice And Victim Services Grants
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the award of $133 million in criminal justice and victim services grants to local law enforcement agencies, domestic violence shelters, child sex trafficking victims programs and other governmental and non-profit agencies across Texas. The grants include both state and federal funds administered by the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s Office and are part of the Governor’s efforts to implement his “Bicentennial Blueprint” policy plans for the state.
“Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of all Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “And on behalf of the State of Texas, I am proud to announce we have secured over $100 million for our state Criminal Justice Division. These grants will help ensure that in every community, victims of domestic violence and child sex trafficking will have a safe place to turn in order to remove and prosecute abusers, prevent domestic violence and allow victims the therapy, shelter and education resources needed to flourish.”
The Office of the Governor established new grant awards for services and organizations that go beyond simply providing shelter for victims of domestic violence, but also assist the victims in filing police reports, obtaining emergency protection orders and prosecuting their abusers. These services are one component of Governor Abbott’s Blueprint item to increase coordination between law enforcement and victim services agencies to identify high-risk domestic violence victims and remove their abusers in order to curb domestic homicides.
The Governor’s Office also awarded several grants to agencies and organizations that assist child victims of sex trafficking as part of his Blueprint item to provide these children with wrap-around care. The grants are the first step in the Governor’s plan to establish within his office a child sex trafficking victim services program that will establish a statewide network of comprehensive services to meet the complex needs of victims.
View the full list of grant recipients in several Texas regions.