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…

This $746,810 federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524) will enable the Friendship Center of Helena, in partnership with Montana Legal Services Association, to provide comprehensive legal assistance and representation to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence in Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties, Montana. The project will deliver direct legal services, legal advice, brief services, limited scope representation, and legal advocacy to aid victims in matters such as family law, immigration, employment, housing, protection orders, and post-conviction relief. Additionally, the project will develop informational materials, referral forms, and other resources to educate survivors about their rights and available legal services.

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, the friendship center, in partnership with montana legal services association (mlsa), will provide legal assistance and legal advice, brief services, limited scope, full representation legal services, and legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence in lewis & clark, jefferson, and broadwater counties in montana. The following products will be developed during the project period: relevant materials such as handouts, powerpoint presentations, brochures, online resources, and victim rights informational packets to inform survivors about their rights and establish referral forms for the partners. This award is a continuation of 2019-WL-AX-0004.