LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday he will award more than $2.1 million to 30 organizations across the state to help victims of domestic violence.

In Louisville, UofL Health will see more than $62,000 to support a new hospital-based advocacy program and hire a full-time domestic violence advocate. Leaders at UofL Health said the funding will allow them to "better care for intimate partner violence victims at UofL Health."

"Victims deserve wrap-around supportive services regardless of where in the community they seek help, and UofL Health will be able to expand this support with VAWA grant funding," Amanda Corzine, SAFE Services director at UofL Health, said in a news release Thursday.

In 2022, UofL Health received a $92,000 grant as part of a statewide initiative from Beshear's office to reinstall its Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Services Program.

The money is coming from the federal Violence Against Women Act grant program, which works to put an end to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Funding will also be sent to the Jefferson County Attorney's Office and the state attorney general's office. For a full list of Kentucky organizations and agencies receiving funding, click here.

"Today's announcement is important to me because we're making progress on protecting victims of violent crimes—and helping more people feel safe in their community," Beshear said in a news release. "We are doing everything possible to hold offenders accountable and provide resources survivors need."

In 2021, the governor declared October "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in Kentucky. Since taking office, Beshear's administration has distributed more than $149 million in grant funding to victim services and agencies across the state, according to a news release.

According to the 2023 Kentucky Domestic Violence Data Report released in July, one in two women and one in three men have experienced domestic violence in the state. According to the governor's office, that data also shows that compared to 2022, there were more emergency protective orders served by Kentucky State Police in 2023. 

The report also shows law enforcement submitted more electronic JC3 forms in 2023 compared to 2022. Those forms are filed when officers respond to a report of domestic violence, dating violence or abuse in order to track incidents and arrests, as well as help victims file for emergency protective orders. ZeroV, Kentucky's domestic violence coalition, also reported an increase in calls to its hotline in 2023.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE (7233) or clicking here. You can also get assistance from ZeroV by clicking here.

You can also call the 24-hour Rape Crisis Line at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or contact your local Kentucky State Police post to speak with a victim advocate. To find out where your local KSP post is, click here.

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