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 Office on Violence Against Women within the Department of Justice awarded Diaspora Community Services $300,000 under the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (SAS Culturally Specific Program, CFDA 16.023) from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2025. The SAS Culturally Specific Program was established to provide direct intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention, support services, and referrals for victims of sexual assault from culturally specific communities who often face unique linguistic and cultural barriers to assistance. As a culturally specific community-based organization serving the Brooklyn area, Diaspora Community Services will leverage its understanding of local cultures, languages, and backgrounds to create and maintain sustainable sexual assault services for adult, youth, and child victims, their families and households, and others affected among American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic communities through the end of FY2025.

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).