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 Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $495,000 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023) grant to Violence Intervention Program, Inc., a non-profit organization in New York City. Through this 4-year project grant, the organization will provide culturally specific, trauma-informed direct intervention and assistance to the Latino community in New York City. Services will include support groups, crisis management, advocacy, individual counseling, bilingual hotline services, and outreach. The program aims to address linguistic and cultural barriers faced by underserved populations when seeking assistance for 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 establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault, which serve a vital role in providing services that are relevant for their communities. Through this continuation sexual assault services culturally specific program project, violence intervention program, INC., will provide culturally specific, trauma-informed direct intervention and assistance, including support groups, crisis management, advocacy, individual counseling, bilingual hotline services, and outreach for the latino community in new york city, new york. The project will address the following priority area: priority area 5, underserved communities- sexual assault services for the lgbtq population.