COLUMBUS — The Fayette County Domestic Violence Project last year provided services for nearly 100 families devastated by abuse, but now it's unclear where victims will turn for help.

        The program director for the project resigned last month, and county commissioners decided not to fill the position. They also canceled the county's $55,000 contract with Project Woman, a Clark County agency that assists domestic-violence victims and their families.

        The commissioners said they pulled the funding because other county agencies can do a better job than the centralized program, which provided legal and social-service assistance.

        The program's former director, Joy Stanforth, said she resigned because of burnout from the demanding job.

        Ms. Stanforth, who was hired by the county Community Action Commission to develop a child-visitation program for troubled families, said she thinks the commissioners will find a way to continue services.

        “There's no way they're going to leave those people hanging,” she said. “I think it's all going to fall in place.”

        The commissioners said they plan to give $20,000 to the county prosecutor's victim witness division, which plans to provide court advocacy for domestic-violence victims.

        That program currently is funded to help victims with cases in common pleas or juvenile court, said Martha Preston, its director.

        Preston also said her three-person office served 913 victims last year. She said she would need additional staff members and special training to handle domestic-violence cases.

Many Catholics demand disclosure
Cardinal: New solution sought
Cleveland bishop calls for prayer and fidelity
Men say church knew of sex abuse decades ago
Landlords angered by mini-riot damage
Oxford grads take prizes
Warren Co. roads taking on orange hue
Woman leaps out of moving vehicle
BRONSON: Death row
CROWLEY: Erpenbeck gossip has sad undertone
Some Good News
You Asked For It
Authorities concerned about rise in dogfighting
Boone looks to its past
Both parties court growing new bloc of Hispanic voters
City's 'just a few prayers' from healing
Domestic violence funds pulled
Indiana 'warriors' slammed
Mine-safety system has mixed reviews
Money worries clog sewer project
Renovation gives police more space
School-funding report author sues
Tot has just cuts, bruises in 30-foot fall
Traficant skipping primary
Walk circle, seek self
Kentucky A.M. report
Tristate A.M. report