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 $750,000 Project Grant awarded by 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 Women Against Abuse, Inc., a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization, to provide comprehensive civil and criminal legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The funding will support direct legal representation, advocacy, and assistance in legal matters such as family law, immigration, housing, protection orders, employment, and criminal justice proceedings. Through partnerships with organizations like Philadelphia Legal Assistance, Community Legal Services, and Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program, Women Against Abuse will deliver holistic, victim-centered support to help address legal challenges arising from experiences of violence and promote victim safety, privacy, and economic independence. This grant represents a continuation of previous funding received under award 2020-WL-AX-0032 and is effective from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027.

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, women against abuse in partnership with philadelphia legal assistance, community legal services, and philadelphia volunteers for the indigent program, will provide comprehensive legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and provide robust service referrals and informed service delivery in the communities within the city and county of philadelphia. This award is a continuation of 2020-WL-AX-0032.