Secretary of State Bill Galvin announced new funding to combat domestic violence

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Secretary of State Bill Galvin announced a new state grant program for providers of services to victims of domestic violence.

Galvin’s office administers the Massachusetts Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which offers protections to relocated survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing them with new mailing addresses to use with government agencies.

“It is clear to anyone who has been following the news over the past year that we
are facing a statewide crisis of domestic violence,” Galvin said in a news release from Galvin’s office. “This new grant program is targeted at increasing awareness, not only of this upsurge in violence but also of the services available to those trying to leave an abusive situation.”

Included in the budget that was signed by Governor Maura Healey earlier this month was funding for a statewide Domestic Violence Service Provider Grant Program, which will be
administered by Galvin through the ACP. This $100,000 program will help to provide funding to
organizations helping to spread awareness of the many services already available to those
who have been abused, sexually assaulted, or stalked.

Galvin hopes that the grant program will be a success in reaching those that fear that they will not be helped or that they have the resources they need to leave a violent situation. He hopes to increase overall participation in ACP to help keep those that have left abusive relationships safe already.

“Our program helps hundreds of people every year. While I wish the program was unnecessary, the fact remains that there are many more people in Massachusetts who would be helped if only they knew more about these services,” Galvin said.