The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant (LAV) program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20121, increases the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance for adult and youth victims of domestic…

The American Samoa Legal Aid, Inc. was awarded a $600,000 Project Grant from the Department of Justice Offices Boards and Divisions Office on Violence Against Women under the Legal Assistance for Victims federal grant program (CFDA 16.524). The three-year award will increase the availability of comprehensive civil and criminal legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in American Samoa through the delivery of direct legal services by the grantee in legal matters relating to or arising from such abuse or violence. This includes assistance in family, immigration, housing, protection order and other similar proceedings, as well as criminal justice matters impacting victim safety and privacy. The award period is from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2024.

The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant (LAV) program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20121, increases the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance for adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. "legal assistance" includes assistance in: a) family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing matters, campus administrative, or protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar matters; and b) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters (e.g., sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victim's safety and privacy. LAV funds projects that implement, expand, and/or establish this comprehensive legal assistance through (1) collaborations between legal assistance providers and domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault victim service providers; (2) efforts by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; or (3) competent supervised pro bono legal assistance. Grantees must either demonstrate expertise on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking, or partner with an organization that has such expertise. The timing for performance of this award is 36 months.