The sexual assault services culturally specific program (SAS culturally specific program) was created by the violence against women and department of justice reauthorization act of 2005 (vawa 2005),…

The Department of Justice Offices Boards and Divisions Office on Violence Against Women awarded $299,962 under the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023) federal grant program to Voces Unidas For Justice. The three-year project grant will support culturally specific intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, and support services for victims of sexual assault from American Indian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Black, and Hispanic communities in Colorado Springs, Colorado through September 2025. As the statutory goal of the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program aims to create and expand sustainable sexual assault services provided by culturally specific community-based organizations, Voces Unidas For Justice will leverage its expertise and community relationships to deliver linguistically and culturally relevant services that address the unique barriers faced by culturally diverse survivors of sexual assault.

The sexual assault services culturally specific program (SAS culturally specific program) was created by the violence against women and department of justice reauthorization act of 2005 (vawa 2005), 34 U.S.C. § 12511(c), and is part of the first federal funding stream solely dedicated to the provision of direct intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault. Intervention and related assistance include advocacy, accompaniment (e.g., accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), crisis intervention and support services, and referrals, among other services. Under this program, such services may be provided to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of such victims, and those collaterally affected by the victimization. Survivors of sexual assault from culturally specific communities frequently confront unique challenges when seeking assistance, such as linguistic and cultural barriers. Culturally specific community-based organizations are more likely to understand these challenges because they are familiar with the culture, language, and background of victims from their communities, who in turn are more inclined to seek services from such organizations. The goal of the SAS culturally specific program is to create, maintain, and expand sustainable sexual assault services provided by culturally specific community-based organizations, which serve a vital role in providing services that are relevant for their communities. Grantees must either demonstrate expertise in sexual assault or partner with an organization that has such expertise. Culturally specific is statutorily defined as one or more of the following racial and ethnic communities: 1) american indians (including alaska natives, eskimos, and aleuts); 2) asian americans; 3) native hawaiians and other pacific islanders; 4) blacks; and 5) hispanics. See 34 U.S.C. §§ 12511(c)(2), 12291(a)(6), and 42 U.S.C. § 300U-6(g)(1).