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's Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $495,000 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023) grant to Hogar Ruth Inc., a Puerto Rico-based domestic shelter and non-profit organization. Through this 4-year grant, Hogar Ruth Inc. will provide 24-hour hotline services, referrals, psychological support, support groups, outreach, and program evaluation for Spanish-speaking and Hispanic survivors of sexual assault in northern, coastal, and rural regions of Puerto Rico. The project aims to address the unique linguistic and cultural barriers faced by underserved Hispanic communities in Puerto Rico when seeking assistance for sexual assault. This federal grant award will enable Hogar Ruth Inc. to enhance its capacity to deliver culturally specific intervention, advocacy, and support services for adult, youth, and child victims, as well as their family members and others affected by sexual assault victimization.

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, hogar ruth para mujeres maltratadas, INC., will provide 24-hour hotline services, referrals, psychological services, support groups, outreach, and program evaluation for spanish speakers and hispanics of northern, coastal, and rural regions of puerto rico. The project will address the following priority area: priority area 5, underserved communities- sexual assault services for the lgbt population.