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 Department of Justice Offices Boards and Divisions Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $600,000 Project Grant to the Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (ACCESS) located in Dearborn, MI under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA #16.524). The three-year grant will fund comprehensive direct legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in matters relating to or arising from the abuse or violence, such as family law, housing, immigration, and criminal justice proceedings impacting victim safety and privacy. Services will be delivered through collaborations between legal assistance providers and victim service organizations or by organizations with expertise in domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking legal advocacy. The goal is to increase availability of civil and criminal legal aid for victims.

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.