The grants to enhance culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20124

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $475,000 Project Grant under the Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program (CFDA 16.016) to Sauti Yetu Center for African Women, Inc. The three-year grant, effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027, will enable the non-profit organization to implement a project addressing the needs of African immigrant communities in New York City. Key activities include: 1) crisis intervention, 2) case management, 3) individual counseling, and 4) sexual assault awareness outreach. The project aims to increase the capacity of the community to provide culturally specific resources and support for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as examine the dynamics of culture and its impact on victimization and healing for African American immigrants.

This program supports the maintenance and replication of existing successful community-based programs providing culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as the development of innovative culturally specific strategies to enhance access to services and resources for victims who face obstacles to using more traditional programs. Culturally specific services means community-based services that include culturally relevant and linguistically specific services and resources to culturally specific communities which are statutorily defined as american indians (including alaska natives, eskimos, and aleuts); asian americans; native hawaiians and other pacific islanders; blacks; and hispanics. Projects must address at least one of the programs statutory purpose areas. Through this new culturally specific services program project, sauti yetu center for african american women, INC. Will implement a project addressing the following purpose areas: purpose area 2 increasing communities capacity to provide culturally specific resources and support for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking crimes and their families; and purpose area 8 examining the dynamics of culture and its impact on victimization and healing for african american immigrants in new york. The project will address priority area 2: strengthen efforts to prevent and end sexual assault. Specific activities will include: 1) crisis intervention; 2) case management; 3) individual counseling; and 4) sexual assault awareness outreach.