WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -  Marathon County is getting some financial help to handle domestic violence court cases. The District Attorney’s Office has received a 68-thousand dollar grant to continue funding a prosecutor specializing in domestic violence cases. The federal funds are part of the Violence Against Women Act.

Marathon County Deputy District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon says domestic violence related crimes, along with drugs and OWIs are what drives the crime rate in the community. She says having a prosecutor specialize in domestic violence cases is necessary.

Last year, there were 586 domestic violence incidents referred to the Marathon County D.A.'s office, and 544 of them were prosecuted. Wetzsteon says, “It's a very high number of cases and it takes a lot of time and commitment,"

The only other two Wisconsin counties to receive this funding were Outagamie and Milwaukee.