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

The federal Project Grant award, with ID 15JOVW24GG00065LEGA, is provided by the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524). The $720,000 award to California Indian Legal Services, Inc. (CILS) will fund comprehensive civil and criminal legal services to victims (ages 11 and older) of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in 5 California counties with 22 federally recognized tribes. CILS will provide legal analysis, document drafting, evidence gathering, direct representation, and hearing preparation to address the unique legal challenges faced by Native American victims, including jurisdictional and enforcement issues of tribal court restraining orders. This award is a continuation of a previous LAV grant to CILS and aims to increase the availability of critical legal assistance to underserved populations, advance equity, and promote victim safety, privacy, and economic independence.

The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid victims (ages 11 and older) of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking 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 includes assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in: a) family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing matters, campus administrative, or protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar matters; b) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victims safety and privacy; c) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy; and d) post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, tribal, or territorial court where the conviction of a victim is related to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or SEX trafficking. 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(24)(c) and (d). Through this continuation legal assistance for victims project, california indian legal services will provide legal analysis and advice, document drafting, assistance with evidence gathering, direct representation, and extensive hearing preparation and advocate accompaniment to hearings for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in DEL norte, humboldt, mendocino, trinity and siskiyou counties in california. Within the five counties, there are 22 federally recognized tribes. The project will address the following priority area: advance equity and tribal sovereignty by assisting clients with some of the unique legal challenges native victims face with jurisdictional and enforcement issues of tribal court restraining orders. This award is a continuation of 15JOVW-21-GG-00358-lega.