People who help crime victims through some of the most horrific times of their lives won't be able to do their jobs much longer.
Grant money has run out for a Louisville group helping victims of violent crimes for 13 years.
"Officers are used to the resource being right there, easily accessible in the building," said Lt. Carolyn Nunn, LMPD's Domestic Violence Coordinator.
For the past 13 years, each of the 8 Louisville Metro Police Divisions have been staffed with one legal advocate. It has been a partnership with LMPD and the Center for Women and Families. The advocates help on average 400 victims each month.
"Whether it be an emergency protective order, a domestic violence order and being there with them [victims] in court advocating on their behalf giving the resources that they may need," said Steven Bowling with the Center for Women and Families.
Bowling said the resources for the advocates have dried up. LMPD and the Center will not be receiving a federal grant from the US Department of Justice that supports the advocates. Bowling tells Fox 41, it's unclear why the grant did not come through.
"It's really hard to say again competition is tough, I think people are applying for grants where there is a need and I think the economy plays a huge role," Bowling said.
The Center has found enough money to keep two of the seven advocates. Those two advocates will work out of the main campus Downtown.
"I think just the resources are already stretched and so we're doing the best we can," said Bowling.
Lieutenant Carolyn Nunn is the LMPD's Domestic Violence Coordinator. She said police will continue to provide safety and protection to victims as they always have, but already busy detectives will have to take on even more work.
"We'll actually have to call the Center for Women and Families to ask them for assistance on cases," said Nunn.
In the meantime, the Center will continue to apply for any available funding.
"We are applying for other grants to hopefully you know retain these types of services, it's just such an important thing for our community," said Bowling.
Nunn said LMPD will apply for the Department of Justice grant again next year.