Attorney general’s office awards grants to help S.C. crime victims

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - The state’s Attorney General’s Office announced the awarding of millions of dollars in grants to help crime victims across the state.

Attorney General Alan Wilson held a news conference on Wednesday and Thursday to announce the grants.

Wilson said a total of $32 million will be awarded across the state to agencies and organizations that work to serve victims of crimes.

The grants will be released under the Department of Crime Victim Assistance Grants, which works under the umbrella of the attorney general’s office. Most of the funding for the grants comes from federal dollars, but some of the funding comes from the general assembly, Wilson said.

There are four different types of grants being awarded. Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants, State Victim Assistance Program (SVAP) grants and Supplemental Allocation for Victims Services (SAVS) grants.

The VOCA grants come from federal fines and penalties and not taxpayers, according to a news release. Those funds do not add to the national debt.

“These funds go toward projects that serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, human trafficking and more,” Wilson said. “Agencies that receive these grants provide invaluable services...”

During the conference, Wilson encouraged victims of crimes to reach out.

“While the abuse or the victim of the crime may have ended, the process seems to go on and on and on, and you’re feeling alone, and I’m here to tell you, you’re not alone, Wilson said. “...There’s 50 to 60 people up here just in this community, representing various state agencies and local nonprofit organizations who exist to serve and support you...”

There are eight agencies and organizations receiving the funding in Horry County: the Barnabas Horse Foundation is awarded $209,681, the Children’s Recovery Center with $149,521, Coastal Carolina University with $31,556, Engaging Minds Services Inc at $51,778, 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office $420,614, Horry County Police Department, $174,560, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, $126,412 and Rape Crisis Center Horry/Georgetown $353,383.

There are two recipients in Georgetown County: Family Justice Center of Georgetown and Horry Counties will receive $275,964, and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office is getting $78,935.

There are four recipients in the Florence area: CARE House of the Pee Deeis receiving a total of $431,093, McLeod Regional Center $204,900, Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault $2,413,124 and the 12th Circuit Solicitor’s Office $54,143.

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