The program which is being called the Victim Advocate Support Services, will launch this fall with two purposes. Advocates within the program will provide care to victims of crimes, including those that have experienced traumatic events, advocates involved will also act as a liaison between law enforcement and the victim, helping victims manoeuvre through the system while allowing officers to focus on the details of the case.
An advocate will be assigned to each of the Kentucky State Police posts throughout the state. The program is funded through the federal Department of Justice's Victims of Crime Advocacy grant program. Last month the KSP was awarded $2.5 million for the program, on top of that the KSP is contributing a $632,000 match.
In addition to the advocates, the grant will fund vehicles for each position, as well as a program director. KSP has begun interviewing and hiring victim advocates and will begin offering services as soon as the hiring process is complete.
"I am proud of KSP for leading the charge to ensure that every single state police post in the Commonwealth has a trained advocate that can provide compassionate care and essential resources to victims of crime," said Gov. Bevin. "The Victim Advocate Support Service program will ensure that victims are immediately connected with trained professionals who will be available during every step of the process. We are grateful to the federal Department of Justice for partnering with us on this important program, and I am confident that this initiative will allow us to better serve and support crime victims who need it most."
