ST. CLOUD -- Stearns County is being recognized as a national expert in the prosecution and prevention of domestic violence.

The federal Office of Violence Against Women has awarded the county a grant to help train other agencies across the country on the Stearns County Felony Domestic Violence Court.

County Attorney Janelle Kendall says domestic violence court is not a diversion program. She says it's about holding domestic abusers accountable and getting the victims help too.

The grant will be used to reimburse Stearns County for the staff time used to train other agencies in the local practices, data gathering and measurement of success.

All told, Stearns County has now received more than $1,000,000 in grants to support the Felony Domestic Violence Court.

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