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 U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women has awarded a $775,643 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program (CFDA 16.017) grant to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. This 2-year grant, effective August 1, 2024, is designed to support comprehensive services for sexual assault victims across North Dakota.

The funding will enable the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as sub-grantees like the Domestic Violence Crisis Center Inc., Rape & Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead, Abused Adult Resource Center Inc., and Community Violence Intervention Center Inc., to provide critical intervention, advocacy, counseling, and related assistance to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault. These services aim to help survivors navigate medical, legal, and social support systems while facilitating healing and recovery. The grant supports the delivery of culturally-sensitive, victim-centered services through rape crisis centers, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies across the state.

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.