The sexual assault services formula program (SAS formula program) was created by the violence against women and department of justice reauthorization act of 2005 (vawa 2005), 34 U.S.C. 12511

This $1,633,935 federal Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women supports the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program (CFDA 16.017). The funding is provided to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, a state government agency, to deliver comprehensive services for sexual assault victims across Pennsylvania.

The grant will supplement existing local resources and enhance the capacity of rape crisis centers, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to provide critical intervention, advocacy, counseling, and related assistance to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault. A sub-award of this funding will be provided to Respect Together, a non-profit organization doing business as the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, to deliver direct services to victims of sexual assault in all 67 counties of Pennsylvania. This 2-year award period runs from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2026.

The SAS formula program directs grant dollars to states and territories to assist them in supporting rape crisis centers (including governmental rape crisis centers not in territories and tribal governmental programs) and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide core services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault, regardless of age. Funds provided through the SAS formula program are designed to supplement other funding sources directed at addressing sexual assault on the state and territorial levels. Rape crisis centers and other nonprofit organizations, such as dual programs providing both domestic violence and sexual assault intervention services, play a vital role in assisting sexual assault victims through the healing process, as well as assisting victims through the medical, criminal justice, and other social support systems. Fourth time the total award amount of $1,633,935.00 reflects the FY 2024 SAS formula program allocation ($1,172,946.00) plus rape survivor child custody act (RSCCA) funding ($460,989). States that have qualifying laws under the RSCCA and have applied for RSCCA funding may receive additional funding on a total of four occasions. This is the fourth (and last) year that funds under the RSCCA have been awarded to this recipient.