Gregg County commissioners approve funding for domestic abuse victim programs

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - Gregg County Commissioners approved funding for the Victims Assistance Grant Program and the Violence Against Women Prosecution Project, state and federal programs aiding the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office. For the most part, the only people aware of these programs are victims of domestic abuse.

“All in favor signifying by saying aye,” Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt said in court.

“Aye,” said the commissioners.

“All opposed? Motion Passes,” Stoudt said.

It was the second of two votes by Gregg County commissioners accepting funding for two programs developed to provide help for domestic abuse victims. Gregg County District Attorney John Moore talks about the funding approval with Assistant District Attorney Morgan Armstrong, who is also a victims assistance coordinator whose position is funded by the grants. She communicates with victims to

“Keep them up to date on court dates. They inform them of all the statewide services offered as far as getting medical help or any type of help that they need,” Moore said.

“We’ll point them in the right direction, whether that be to the Women’s Center, Heartisans Market, different places around the community. The nice thing about this funding is that it allows our prosecutors and our staff who focus on assault and family violence to build those connections,” Armstrong said.

The Department of Public Safety reports that in Texas there were about 250,000 victims of family violence in 2024. In 2025 there were about 240,000 victims. That is a drop, but not by much.

Armstrong said it is hard to disassociate: “Because there are definitely cases that you get more invested in than others.”

The approved funding pays for two prosecutors who steer a victim to programs promoting independence.

“So many times, a woman suffers through the violence because she has no other way of maintaining her home,” Moore said.

But some victims do come forward.

“It takes a point in time when, look, someone finally says enough is enough. It’s time to do something no matter how hard it is. And at that point in time, we can actually offer them some assistance and get the help that they actually need,” Moore said.

“Whether or not they get out, they’ll remember the fact that they do have access to help. And so, hopefully the next time we can help them on their journey to healing and getting away from their abuser,” Armstrong said.

Funding for the programs was provided by grants from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division for a total of $94,000.