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 a $100,000 Project Grant to Amani Community Services under the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (SAS Culturally Specific Program, CFDA 16.023). The two-year award will support Amani Community Services in establishing culturally specific sexual assault intervention and advocacy services for victims from underserved communities in Waterloo, Iowa from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. As the statutory goal of the SAS Culturally Specific Program is to create and expand sustainable sexual assault services provided by culturally specific community-based organizations, this planning grant will allow Amani Community Services to develop policies, procedures, and training to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate sexual assault victim services to better meet the needs of their community.

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). Planning grants in order to assist some applicants in establishing comprehensive culturally specific sexual assault services for victims, in FY 2022, OVW will offer planning grants for up to $100,000 for a period of up to 24 months. Funds must be used to support the establishment of culturally specific sexual assault services. Planning grant activities may include policy and procedure development, sexual assault training, creation and/or revision of program documents. Planning grantees will not provide direct services to sexual assault victims and/or survivors. Applicants must be culturally specific organizations and have a partner with a demonstrated history of providing sexual assault victim services.