Grant Will Fund New Victims’ Advocate
The Ventura County district attorney’s office has received a $53,490 state grant that it will use to increase support services in the east county for victims of domestic violence.
Most of the money will be used to hire a second victims’ advocate to work out of the East County Courthouse in Simi Valley, said Debbie O’Neill, director of victims’ services. Currently, one victims’ advocate and eight volunteers work out of the courthouse. They provided services to 1,192 crime victims during the past year, O’Neill said.
The workers help victims of domestic violence apply for temporary restraining orders and assist them in getting counseling, medical attention and other services.
About $9,000 of the grant money will be used to purchase computer equipment and to help with training costs. Because the grant money is expected to be recurring, the new victims’ advocate position will be permanent, O’Neill said.
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