Thousands of Maine women (perhaps 30,000 or more, according to the 2006 Maine Crime Victimization Survey) suffer from domestic violence each year.

To help Maine combat this problem, the Department of Justice's Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Assistance Program is providing $989,614 in funding for the Family Violence Project, which serves Kennebec and Somerset Counties.

According to an announcement today by Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, the funds will provide three years of operational support for Somerset House. The Somerset House helps women who have suffered from domestic violence and are also dealing with substance abuse.

"The struggling economy puts incredible pressure on Maine families, which all too often exacerbates existing domestic violence and substance abuse issues," Pingree said in a statement. "Rural areas in Maine especially need more resources to deal with these terrible problems. The program at Somerset House will utilize these funds to not only to give more women and their children a safe place to stay, but provide additional staffing to support women in managing substance abuse while transitioning out of abusive circumstances."