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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recently pledged additional support for victims of domestic violence through the state’s Domestic Violence Trust Fund, according to a Dec. 16 press release from the Governor’s Office. 

The recipients of the trust revenues will be 14 domestic violence shelters which are generated through a marriage recording fee. Funding to the Domestic Violence Center in Opelika will contribute to Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph and Tallapoosa counties.

The trust fund, distributed on a quarterly basis, was created by the Alabama Legislature in 2015 and endorsed by then Lt. Gov. Ivey.

Another $105,757 was awarded through the trust fund to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence which monitors and assists regional domestic violence agencies, and $80,000 to the state Office of Prosecution Services, which investigates and prosecutes domestic violence cases.

“These funds are key to helping provide safe havens for domestic violence victims and innocent family members who must escape abusive situations,” Ivey said. “I commend those agencies and their staff members who are committed to helping people escape volatile situations and rebuild their lives.”

Appropriations to each agency are determined by several factors, including service area population and the number of domestic violence occurrences within those service areas, according to the press release.

The trust fund is managed by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

“Gov. Ivey has continually demonstrated her concern for domestic violence victims and family members by backing measures like the Domestic Violence Trust Fund,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins the governor in her support of these organizations and the work they do.”

In the first three quarters of 2024, a total of $1.1 million was distributed to domestic violence agencies to assist victims. Funding for the regional agencies is based directly on the amount of marriage recording fees collected.