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 $888,253 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 Lotus Legal Clinic, Inc., a woman-owned non-profit organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to provide comprehensive civil legal services to victims of non-intimate sexual assault and sexual exploitation. The project will address priority areas such as advancing equity, strengthening efforts to prevent and end sexual assault, and improving victim services and civil/criminal justice responses. Key services to be delivered include immigration assistance, crime victims' rights enforcement, criminal background relief, work and school administrative advocacy and representation, and civil restraining order/protection matters. The project aims to address barriers faced by underserved and marginalized communities in accessing legal services and advocacy, with a focus on delivering culturally responsive and victim-centered support. The grant term is from October 1, 2024 to 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 new legal assistance for victims project, lotus legal clinic, INC., will provide comprehensive civil legal services, including immigration, crime victims rights enforcement, criminal background relief, work and school administrative advocacy and representation, and civil restraining order/civil protection matters to victims of non-intimate sexual assault and sexual exploitation who historically experience barriers to accessing legal services and advocacy post victimization. The project will address the following priority areas: advance equity and tribal sovereignty and 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: outreach materials about the project.