WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today announced a grant in the amount of $800,000 for domestic violence prevention in Emporia and the surrounding area.

The grant is part of the Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Assistance Program. The program enhances victim safety in cases of domestic violence in rural areas by encouraging collaborative partnerships between criminal justice agencies, victim service providers and community organizations to respond to these crimes.

The funds will go to SOS, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides services to victims of sexual and domestic violence. Through this grant, the project will continue to fund: 1) advocacy; 2) a 24-hour live advocate answered hotline; 3) a safe shelter in Emporia; 4) SOS offices in the adjacent counties of Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris and Osage, each staffed by an advocate; 5) operation of CASA of the Flint Hills, a child visitation and exchange center, a child advocacy center, and an education and prevention program; 6) provide outreach presentations and training throughout the service area about the issue of domestic violence, sexual assault and available services.

This grant was made available by the Office of Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice.

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