Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joined Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar and Mercy Ministries Casa de Misericordia Administrator Maria Elena Arambula to present a check for $367,539 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.

The federal funds are awarded from the Office of Violence Against Women’s Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program and will allow the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to work with the local non-profit Casa de Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter, to sustain current project activities and expand services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in our community.




Specifically, the project will:

1) Support a sexual assault/domestic violence investigator from the Webb County Sheriff’s Department who will oversee a variety of functions devoted exclusively to arrests, investigations, and prosecution of cases dealing with sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking;

2) Support a legal advocate from the Casa de Misericordia Domestic Violence Shelter who will provide legal advocacy, information and referrals, court accompaniment, support on immigration matters, and safety planning;

3) Provide outreach to victims in the underserved areas of Webb County; and

4) Create bilingual posters and brochures that addressing victim rights.
“These federal funds will help in our community-wide effort to end violence against women,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “I thank Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar and Casa de Misericordia for their service to our community and for investing their time and resources to make sure that women and families in our community can be safe to live happy and prosperous lives and not in fear.”

“I thank Congressman Henry Cuellar for always being supportive of these causes, especially the fight against domestic violence,” said Sheriff Martin Cuellar. “Together, we will win this fight as a community. I also thank everyone who contributes to such an amazing cause and I will continue advocating for those families who have been victims of domestic violence.”

“Casa de Misericordia is grateful for this opportunity to continue partnering with the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to address the issue of domestic violence in our community,” said Maria Elena Arambula, Casa de Misericordia Shelter Administrator and Grants Manager. “With this support from the Department of Justice – Office on Violence Against Women, Casa de Misericordia will be able to continue supporting survivors of domestic violence explore their legal options, secure legal resources, plan for their safety, and work through the protective order process.”