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 Federal Grant Award ID 15JOVW24GG00533SASP is a $978,490.00 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program (CFDA 16.017) grant provided by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. This formula grant award, valid from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2026, will support the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in delivering comprehensive services for sexual assault victims across the state. The funding is designed to supplement existing resources and enhance the capacity of rape crisis centers, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies to provide intervention, advocacy, counseling, and related assistance to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault. The grant will enable these service providers to help survivors navigate medical, legal, and social support systems while facilitating healing and recovery.

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.