County Awards Major Grant to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services

October 10, 2011
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive, (608) 267-8823 or (608) 843-8858
County Executive

County Awards Major Grant to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Recognizes Domestic Abuse Awareness Month
$462,579 Grant Invests in Resources to Help Abuse Prevention Services

 

Local abuse prevention organization, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS), will receive a $462,579 grant to invest in resources to help their abuse prevention efforts, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced at an event Monday. 

 The event also recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Dane County, with Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney and local domestic abuse prevention advocates on hand to discuss the impact abuse has on our communities.

 “The effects of domestic violence impact all of us,” said Parisi.  “We have a responsibility to stand up to these heinous crimes and stand with families in need.  Prevention and emergency services are critical, and I’m proud the county is a partner in those efforts.”

 DAIS applied for the grant through the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  The funds the organization received will go towards pre-development work for a new facility that can meet the needs of area domestic violence abuse victims, including shelter facilities, a 24-hour Help/Crisis line, support groups, community education and outreach, and emergency safety planning programs.  CDBG grant dollars are made possible through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

 “DAIS has offered a wide-array of crisis intervention and community education and prevention programs in Dane County for 34 years,” said Shannon Barry, DAIS Executive Director.  “We’re thankful to the county for these CDBG funds – they will enable us to do even more to help victims.”

 Domestic violence has far-reaching affects on families, and communities.  According to DAIS, children who witness domestic violence are far more likely as teenagers to be violent with their peers and dating partners, use alcohol and other drugs, run away from home, or become involved in a gang.  An impact is also felt in business and in the health care system.  National estimates show that domestic violence costs millions in health care costs and missed work days due to violence at home.

 “In Dane County, one-third of all cases law enforcement refers to the District Attorney’s office are domestic violence related,” said Mahoney.  “But even more cases go unreported to local law enforcement.  Prevention efforts and community outreach give these victims a voice – no one should have to suffer in silence, and victims should know that there are resources out there to get them the emergency help they need.”

 More information on DAIS and domestic violence awareness can be found online at http://www.abuseintervention.org/index.phpor by calling 608-251-1237.  Victims in need of emergency assistance can call DAIS’ 24/7 Help Line at 608-251-4445.

 

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