Acting Gov. Tanesha Way established a new division Tuesday designed to help victims of domestic violence.

Way signed bill A-4978 while Gov. Phil Murphy is out of the country. The bill formally establishes the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance within the Department of Law and Public Safety. It was started in 2022 in response to a spike in violence.

GUIDE: Domestic violence safety tips and resources in the tri-state area

Since the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance was created within the Office of the Attorney General, Way says millions of dollars in grants have been awarded to various violence intervention programs in communities across the state, addressing the needs of victims and survivors of violence.

“Codifying the division will allow it to see its full potential with dedicated offices focusing on every aspect of violence prevention and victim services. Violence in any form has no place in our state, and our Administration will continue to support Attorney General Platkin and his office as they work to create a safer state for all New Jerseyans,” Way said in a statement.