S.C. victims services groups to receive $37 million

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Groups providing aid to S.C. crime victims will receive almost $37 million in federal and state grants next month.

The S.C. Public Safety Coordinating Council formally approved the grants, distributed by the S.C. Crime Victim Services Division in the attorney general’s office, earlier this year, according to a news release from S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office. Beginning Oct. 1, funds will be distributed to nonprofits, sheriff’s offices, police departments, solicitor’s offices and state agencies.

“These state and local agencies and nonprofit groups do so much to help people who are going through traumatic circumstances. With these funds we are able to support agencies throughout the state as they assist victims of violent crime in their recovery,” Wilson said in a news release. “The amount we received from the federal government is lower this year because there’s been less court activity during the pandemic, but the needs that these groups address are still there.”

There are three types of grants: Victims of Crime Act grants; Violence Against Women Act grants; and State Victim Assistance Program grants. According to the release, 98% of the money comes from federal grants, which are funded by federal fines and penalties.

The grants will be distributed to agencies throughout the state, including Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands, which will receive $1.4 million. The Richland County-based S.C. Victim Assistance Network will receive almost $1.4 million, while the Richland County Sheriff’s Department will receive $52,747 for victim advocacy programs.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department will receive $218,848 for a law enforcement victim advocate, while Sistercare Inc. will receive $1.1 million.

“The grants staff of the Crime Victim Services Division in the Attorney General’s Office are honored to work with the hundreds of caring, dedicated professionals who help victims of crime every day in South Carolina,” said Burke Fitzpatrick, director of the division. “Our goal is to have the most effective, and the most compassionate, victim services system in the United States. We are on our way.”