Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced the awarding Friday of $6.3 million in grant funding for district attorney’s offices in Cullman and throughout the state, opening the way for a batch of new victim services officers who will work directly with crime victims to navigate the legal system.

The grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), will fund a total of 88 new victim services officers, spread across the 42 judicial circuits that serve all 67 Alabama counties.

“The criminal justice system can seem intimidating to people who have been victims of crime,” Ivey said at a press conference announcing the grant. “I am pleased to support this program, which will provide knowledgeable professionals to help crime victims understand the court process and ensure that they are aware of other community resources that may further assist them.”

ADECA is releasing the grant to the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services (OPS), which provides assistance and support for the state’s district attorneys.

OPS executive director Barry Matson said all of the state’s DA offices will receive grant funds to pay new certified victim services officers, adding that an increase in violent crimes in recent years has yielded an increased need for victim assistance.

“This groundbreaking partnership between the governor, Alabama’s district attorneys and ADECA is a model for the nation,” said Matson.

“…Through criminal and often violent acts of others, victims are forced into a vast and intimidating criminal justice system. District attorneys, though challenged by meager resources, have long stood with victims of crime. With tens of thousands of felonies a year, it has proved daunting….With the help of Governor Ivey, Alabama’s District Attorneys will be able to ease the pain and anxiety caused by crime, while providing comfort, information and guidance to victims.”