Attorney General creates domestic violence unit

JACKSON (AP) — A new domestic violence unit is being established by the Mississippi attorney general’s office and funded by a $1.5 million grant.

The unit will act as a resource for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and all other individuals or entities having legal duties related to domestic violence victims or providing services to victims.

“What this division does is bring a cohesiveness to the state’s efforts to fight domestic violence,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “Our state ranks second highest in the nation for domestic violence. That dubious distinction alone is enough to say we have to improve our efforts and that’s what we are dedicated to doing.”

Hood’s office said the unit will partner with the Administrative Office of Courts, the Judicial College, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Planning and the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

“When a group of dedicated individuals and organizations make a commitment to act as one, the possibilities to create positive change are endless,” Michele Carroll, executive director of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said in a statement. “With the award of this grant and the development of this program we have a truly unique opportunity to work collaboratively to end the violence.”

The two-year grant was awarded by the U.S. Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women.