Grant to provide emergency relocation for victims of violence

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A grant will provide victims of violent crimes an option for emergency relocation.

The $150,000 grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to will help the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Victim’s Advocate Unit and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

The grant will also be used for around 100 families, according to Office of Re-entry Housing and Services Specialist Julie Fidler. He said their is no monetary limit on assistance to individuals.

“If they need $1,500 then we will provide that. Or, if they just need $300. Sometimes it’s just picking them up from a neighborhood and providing a hotel for a week until things die down,” Fidler said. “It’s all about getting them out of that neighborhood and somewhere safe for a while.”

In a release IMPD and the prosecutor’s office laid out the goals of the grant. They say that they want it to provide assistance to relocate victims base on credible threats to their safety. The relocation would also include transportation and food when needed. They also want to develop a plan for follow up and safety, along with providing emotional, mental health and trauma support for victims and their families.

In order to qualify there must be a credible and documented threat, which could be a social media post, text or jail phone call recording.

“After the initial emergency has passed, we will work with them to get needed long term services such as behavioral health help, trauma services, substance abuse treatment, and education and employment training to better their lives and hopefully not become a victim again,” Fidler said in the release.