The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively…

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women has awarded a $750,000 Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (LCADV). The 3-year Project Grant, effective October 1, 2023, will enable LCADV to provide no-cost legal representation and assistance to survivors of domestic violence throughout Louisiana. Key services to be delivered include civil and criminal legal aid in matters related to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, such as family law, housing, protection orders, and criminal justice proceedings. LCADV will collaborate with victim service organizations to increase access to comprehensive legal assistance, with a focus on advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities. As a sub-awardee, LCADV will partner with state agencies to operate domestic violence hotlines, provide victim advocacy, and facilitate access to support services for survivors across Louisiana.

The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (ages 11 to 24) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault, 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 is assistance in: a) divorce, parental rights, child support, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, campus, education, healthcare, privacy, contract, consumer, civil rights, protection or other injunctive proceedings, related enforcement proceedings, and other similar matters; B) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-conviction matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victims safety, privacy, or other interests as a victim; C) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability, regardless of court involvement; or D) post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, tribal, or territorial court, with respect to a conviction of a victim relating to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or SEX trafficking victimization of the victim. Through this new legal assistance for victims project, the louisiana coalition against domestic violences legal access network will provide no-cost attorney representation in legal matters to survivors of domestic violence throughout the state of louisiana. The project will address the following priority areas: 1) priority area 1: advancing racial equity and 2) priority area 3: underserved communities.