PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. — Prosecutor Diana Moers is pleased to announce that the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office has received a $500,000 grant award that will be used to fight domestic violence and support victims within our community.

The Prosecutor’s Office applied for the award through a federal funding opportunity offered in 2025, citing a dramatic increase in the number of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases filed in the county. Unfortunately, there has not been a proportional increase in resources to handle the high volume of cases.

The Prosecutor’s Office currently employs one Deputy Prosecutor under the STOP Violence Against Women grant, who is dedicated to combating violent crimes against women through effective prosecution. The Office also employs seven victim advocates through grant funding provided by the Victim of Crimes Act, who provide substantial assistance and resources to victims as they navigate the criminal justice process. Only one of those seven advocates is able to prioritize the above-mentioned case types.

With the federal award of $500,000, the Prosecutor’s Office will be able to hire an additional Deputy Prosecutor and an additional Victim Advocate, which will essentially double the number of personnel dedicated solely to cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Since the total number of those cases is approximately 1,500 annually, this much-needed reinforcement will help ensure that victims receive the attention and resources needed to put more offenders away for longer, keeping both victims and the community safer.

Prosecutor Moers will host a press conference on Friday to share more information on the award and how it will be used to support the continued mission of the office to fight for victims and bring offenders to justice.