Domestic Violence Agency Gets Grant
A county agency that assists domestic violence victims and their families has received some much-needed financial aid.
The Ventura County Commission on Human Concerns in Oxnard has received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Justice Department and will use the money to hire three part-time attorneys.
The grant is part of the federal government’s 1994 Violence Against Women Act, which enables victims to obtain free legal representation and other counseling. The Justice Department has awarded 95 grants in 31 states, including 11 in California.
“We had very limited resources before receiving this grant,” said Bruce Stewart, a member of the commission’s board. “This will now allow us to represent victims in court during civil proceedings and to hire additional staff.”
In 1998 and 1999 combined, more than 2,700 domestic violence calls were reported in Oxnard, according to statistics compiled by the Police Department.
The grant also will allow the commission, located at 621 Richmond Ave., to house the 18-month-old Domestic Violence Victims’ Civil Legal Assistance program.
With the grant, commission staff will be able to screen, document and legally represent domestic violence victims in civil court cases.
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