JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri is receiving a federal grant to help crime victims that is more than four times larger than last year’s funding.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced Monday that a grant of $36.7 million has been awarded through the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). It will be used to fund domestic violence shelters, crime victim advocates and other programs that assist the physical and emotional needs of crime victims in Missouri. Last year less than $8.7 million was awarded.

“This is great news for our ongoing efforts to support victims of crime,” Gov. Nixon said. “Through this increased funding, we can help provide greater assistance to domestic violence shelters, victim advocate programs and other efforts that help bring greater safety and stability to the lives of crime victims.”

The federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs was awarded to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, and is administered by the department’s Crime Victim Services Unit. The funding can be spent through Sept. 30, 2018. Eligible direct services include rape crisis centers and intervention, domestic violence shelters and other emergency services, child abuse treatment centers, support and advocacy services and court-related services. Other states are receiving similar funding increases.