AG approves grants to battle domestic violence

Attorney General Brian Sandoval has approved distribution of approximately $1 million in grants under the federal Stop Violence Against Women Act.

The funds are distributed to groups and organizations that work to combat violent crimes committed against women.

Grants administrator Dorene Whitworth said organizations submitted applications for more than $1.4 million in grant funding. She said a large part of the money will go toward continuing or increasing advocacy services throughout the state.

New programs funded this year include an award to Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevada to enhance legal services to victims of domestic violence, an award to the City of Reno to conduct a Battered Immigrant Women Summit, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office for training and the Elko Band Council of the Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone for emergency assistance funds.

Since the inception of the grant program in 1995, Nevada has distributed in excess of $10 million.