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 University of Michigan was awarded a $599,124 Project Grant from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) federal grant program (CFDA 16.524). The three-year award will support the provision of comprehensive direct legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025. Services will include assistance with family law, immigration, housing and other civil legal issues as well as certain criminal justice matters related to the abuse experienced. The University will collaborate with the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, a sub-awardee, to implement, expand and establish legal assistance through referrals and coordinated representation of clients impacted by intimate partner violence.

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.