PROJECT UNITE Ross County Rural Victim Assistance "Justice Isn't Served Until Crime Victim Are" In 2004, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office was awarded a three year, $ 160,000.00, “Rural Victim Assistance Grant” from the National Sheriff’s Association through the Office for Victims of Crime / U.S. Department of Justice. As only one of ten communities nationwide, and the only office in the state of Ohio to receive the grant, it was truly an honor to incorporate a program within our office to assist victims of crime. In Ross County, the Prosecutor’s Office already had a Victim/Witness program. The Chillicothe Municipal Court also realized the goal of obtaining funding for a similar program. Both agencies provide assistance after a crime occurs, and throughout the court process. A variety of other organizations such as Ross County MADD (Mothers against drunk drivers), the Ross County Child Protection Center, and the Ross County Coalition Against Domestic Violence exist to assist victims, and to advocate for their rights after the impact of the crime. What did not exist was the needs of the victim at the moment the crime was reported. "Project Unite" is a special division of the Ross County Sheriff's Office. Project Unite's primary goal is to assist persons who have been victimized by crime in Ross County. Sheriff Nichols, Sheriff of Ross County, strongly enforces that "justice isn't served until crime victims are."