DECATUR- The Macon County State's Attorney's Office handles nearly a thousand domestic cases each year. But they have a special unit in place whose goal is to convict domestic abusers.
They're called the Violence Against Women Unit. It's made up of five prosecutors, an investigator, Victims' aides, and a few administrative assistants.
Assistant State's Attorney Jane Spittler oversees the unit. She says having their own investigator has helped them shift the focus from the victim's testimony to the evidence.
Because the investigator gathers evidence police may have missed due to time constraints.
Spittler says the extra evidence helps them settle and win cases, even without a victim testifying.
But the money that funds the extra positions is in jeopardy. They've been assisted by stimulus dollars that are running out. They've applied for a new grant. But if they don't get it, it will be hard for them to operate at the same level.
