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

The Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women has awarded a $897,734 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program (CFDA 16.017) grant to the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet. This 2-year formula grant, effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2026, provides funding to support comprehensive services for sexual assault victims across Kentucky. The grant is designed to supplement existing local resources and enhance the capacity of rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations to deliver culturally-sensitive, victim-centered support services such as intervention, advocacy, counseling, and assistance in navigating medical, legal, and social support systems. The grant will enable the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet to provide technical assistance, program implementation, data management, and targeted interventions across Kentucky to support sexual assault victims.

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.