Henry Daily Herald

The Henry County Police Department recently received funding to equip its Stop Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program.

Members of the Henry County Board of Commissioners have accepted a 25 percent matching grant, of $246,833, from the U.S. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

The grant supplies funds to pay for two full-time detectives, and a full-time liaison, to collect, and communicate, information among prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, social services providers, and victims.

It also covers 50 percent of a detective sergeant’s salary, and 40 percent of a fourth detective’s salary, as well as domestic violence training for officers, judges and prosecutors, to better respond to violent crimes against women.

“The funding of the VAWA Grant gives stakeholders the opportunity to continue reaching and meeting the needs of domestic violence victims in Henry County,” said Sonya T. Richey, the police department’s liaison with the domestic violence program.

“It is my hope that, one day, women will no longer need these types of services in order to live a healthy life with family and friends,” Richey said.

This is the third year that the Henry County Police Department has been awarded the grant. The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council will provide $185,125 of the grant, and the county will provide a match of $61,708 in salaries. The police department also has the option to renew the grant for a fourth and final year, as long as it is compliant with guidelines, and funds are available.

“In today’s society, the unfortunate fact is that violence against women has been on the rise, but in an effort to combat the violence, the Henry County Police Department, along with county prosecutors, judges and victim advocates, have combined their efforts,” said Kimberly Monast, a Henry County Police Department research and development specialist.

“We are working to enhance the safety of women victims of violent crime, to increase officer education and accountability, and to offer appropriate training, which addresses the special needs of the under-served, non-English-speaking population. This grant assists us in those efforts,” she added.