Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded two grants totaling $98,675 to help child abuse victims in six southwest Alabama counties, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The Kathy Hill Child Advocacy Center in Brewton is receiving a $45,971 grant to help provide services for Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties. A $52,704 grant will support the Regional Child Advocacy Center in Grove Hill, which serves Choctaw, Clarke and Washington counties.

“Abuse is a terrible crime that no child should suffer,” Bentley said. “I am grateful to organizations like these that help those who have been victimized.”

Bentley notified Stephen Billy, board chairman of the Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center, and Michael Goldman, board chairman of the Regional Child Advocacy Center, that the grants had been approved.

The centers work with law enforcement and other agencies, providing a child-friendly atmosphere to conduct interviews with the children. This allows the child to tell the details of the abuse once, rather than have to recall the details mutliple times. Counseling, court advocacy and other services are provided to the child and family members not involved with the abuse.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, energy conservation, workforce development, water resource management and recreation.