On Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded $316,000 in Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) grants toward professional assistance for domestic violence victims.

According to the department, the funds will be utilized for the purposes of providing training and resources to local law enforcement and nonprofit agencies.

The grant total will be evenly divided between the Alabama Coalition Against Rape and the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence to train the staff of local law enforcement agencies, health care organizations, courts and domestic violence shelters.

In a release, ADECA advised that the professionals would receive training centered around how to recognize the signs of abuse and respond more effectively to domestic and dating violence as well as sexual assault.

In announcing the grant awards, Ivey asserted that those trained in domestic violence assistance should be provided with “top-notch” instruction.

“Domestic violence and sexual assault affect too many Alabamians, and those investigating cases or helping victims should have access to top-notch training when needed,” stated the governor. “I am pleased to support these efforts which will help investigators, prosecutors, shelter staff and, most importantly, victims.”

The grants, which will be administered by ADECA, were made available by funding through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

ADECA director Kenneth Boswell conveyed the department’s support of Ivey’s efforts to increase training and resources for professionals that assist domestic assault victims.

“ADECA shares Gov. Ivey’s dedication to helping victims of domestic abuse by making sure those who assist them have the best training and resources available,” said Boswell.

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL