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 Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, Inc. (FCASV) received a $900,000 Project Grant under the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women's Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524). This 3-year grant will enable FCASV, in partnership with 5 sub-grantees, to provide comprehensive civil and criminal legal representation to victims of sexual assault in 5 major metropolitan areas and adjacent counties across Florida.

The grant will fund the following key products and services:

1. Development of a screening tool to help victim advocates at certified sexual assault centers assess legal needs of survivors
2. Creation of a pro bono attorney manual to assist attorneys in providing legal services to sexual violence victims/survivors
3. Development of a manual to guide advocates in supporting sexual violence victims/survivors with pro se legal matters

This grant aims to increase the availability of critical legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in matters related to family law, immigration, housing, employment, and criminal justice proceedings, in order to 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 new legal assistance for victims project, the florida council against sexual violence (fcasv), in partnership with the crisis center of tampa BAY, the victim service center of central florida, the womens center of jacksonville, palm beach county victim services and rape crisis center, and the nancy j. Cotterman center of broward county, will provide a broad range of legal representation to victims of sexual assault in five (5) major metropolitan areas and adjacent counties in florida - tampa/hillsborough county; orlando/orange-osceola-seminole counties; jacksonville/duval-baker-nassau counties; west palm beach/palm beach county; and fort lauderdale/broward county. The project will provide legal advice and direct representation of sexual assault victims through attorneys and a pro bono network. The project will address the following priority area: strengthen efforts to prevent and end sexual assault including victim services and civil and criminal justice responses. The following products will be developed during the project period: 1) screening for legal needs guide/tool for victim advocates working in certified sexual assault centers; 2) pro bono attorney manual to assist attorneys in providing legal services to victims/survivors of sexual violence; and 3) manual for advocates to assist victims/survivors of sexual violence with pro SE legal matters.