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 U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women has awarded a $750,000 Project Grant under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524) to Rainbow Services, LIMITED, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, California. The grant will enable Rainbow Services, in partnership with Community Legal Aid Southern California, to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed civil and criminal legal assistance to low-income, limited English proficient victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Los Angeles County, with a focus on the South Los Angeles area. The planned legal services include assistance with protection orders, family law, immigration, housing, public benefits, consumer and bankruptcy issues, special education and Title IX, and employment law. This award is a 3-year continuation of a prior LAV grant, and the funding will advance the program's priority of promoting equity and supporting victims in navigating complex legal matters related to their experiences of violence.

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, rainbow services, LTD., in partnership with community legal aid southern california will provide comprehensive, trauma-informed legal assistance and representation for low-income, limited english proficient victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in LOS angeles county, concentrating on the south LOS angeles area. Planned legal services include protection orders, family law, immigration housing, public benefits, consumer and bankruptcy issues, special education and title IX, and employment law. The project will address the following priority area: advance equity and tribal sovereignty. This award is a continuation of 15JOVW-21-GG-00408-lega.