Van Hollen Awards Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence $29,440 for Child and Adult Victims of Crime in River Falls

RIVER FALLS - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today announced the Wisconsin Department of Justice has awarded $29,440 in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence program.

"I am pleased that agencies that serve victims will receive additional support," said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "With this funding, Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence will fund a Legal Advocate to offer victims of crime more comprehensive legal advocacy services during the evening hours."

Recovery Act funding will also allow the Legal Advocate to serve crime victims via the internet and through online networking systems.

Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence is one of 16 programs that Van Hollen has chosen for more than $900,000 in funding to help crime victims under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The Attorney General said this money reflects his desire to improve the quality of life for innocent crime victims of all ages who live in communities across Wisconsin.  Trauma counseling, crises intervention and other advocacy services are essential to restoring victims to a sense of wellness. 

Enacted in 1984, VOCA is administered by the US Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law on February 17, 2009.  The law provides funding to assist victim service programs create and retain direct victim services positions.