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Grant will bring help to domestic violence victims in Upper Rogue By JONEL ALECCIA Help for victims of domestic violence finally will be available in one of Jackson County's most rural regions, thanks to a new 18-month, $300,000 federal grant awarded to Community Works of Medford. The Upper Rogue, a 700-square-mile region that includes Butte Falls, Prospect, Trail and Shady Cove, is the target area for U.S. Department of Justice resources, Congressman Greg Walden announced Friday. "I commend the DOJ for its recognition of the role Community Works has played in coordinating community organizations in Jackson County to create a comprehensive plan to improve the lives of women and children in abusive situations," Walden said. The funds will pay for abuse advocates, a child therapist, increased police protection, creation of safe houses and emergency cell phones, said Maggie Jordan, director of victim services for Community Works. "It will give services where there haven't been any before," Jordan said. Jordan originally wanted more than $800,000 to extend domestic violence aid to rural regions, but limited funds forced her to trim the request to $400,000 and finally $300,000. The funds are a coup for the agency that operates Dunn House, Jackson County's shelter for battered women and children, said Lu Cavenaugh, a grant writer for Community Works. "It's a highly competitive program with very little money, but we have a difficult need here and we did a good job of presenting it," she said. The grant requires extensive cooperation between area law enforcement, social service and nonprofit agencies, Cavenaugh said. "Everybody jumped right in to help out," she added. Reaching rural victims of domestic violence can be particularly difficult, Cavenaugh said. The combination of isolation and, sometimes, entrenched attitudes that sanction violence prevent victims, usually women, from seeking help. "Sometimes the attitude can be, 'So what if he slaps her around. She probably deserves it,'" Cavenaugh said. The agency will begin screening staff for the new effort immediately, Jordan said. Services will begin soon after. Last year, some 500 women and children found shelter at Dunn House. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.