PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- House and Senate leaders have restored $100,000 in funding in the state budget for the Court Advocacy Program that helps victims of domestic violence navigate their way through the judicial system.
Deborah DeBare, executive director of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said this infusion will allow the program to resume providing five-day-a-week services, starting next week, in the Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence and in the Noel Judicial Complex in Warwick, the counties where the bulk of the restraining orders are issued.
The program -- which operates in all four of the state's District and Family courts -- helped 8,316 victims of domestic violence last year. But starting June 3, because of severe budget cuts, court advocacy offices have been closed on Mondays.
It is unclear whether Monday service in Washington and Newport counties will
be restored.