The sexual assault services culturally specific program (SAS culturally specific program) was created by the violence against women and department of justice reauthorization act of 2005 (vawa 2005),…

The Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded a $382,500 Project Grant under the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023) to the East Los Angeles Women's Center (ELAWC). This 3-year grant, effective from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027, will enable ELAWC to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault in East Los Angeles. The funding will support ELAWC's provision of advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention, support services, referrals, and direct financial assistance to adult, youth, and child survivors of sexual assault from underserved Latinx/Hispanic communities. As a culturally specific nonprofit organization, ELAWC is well-positioned to address the unique linguistic and cultural barriers faced by this population when seeking sexual assault services.

The sexual assault services culturally specific program (SAS culturally specific program) was created by the violence against women and department of justice reauthorization act of 2005 (vawa 2005), 34 U.S.C. 12511(c), and is part of the first federal funding stream solely dedicated to the provision of direct intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault. Intervention and related assistance include advocacy, accompaniment (e.g., accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), crisis intervention and support services, and referrals, among other services. Under this program, such services may be provided to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of such victims, and those collaterally affected by the victimization. Survivors of sexual assault from culturally specific communities frequently confront unique challenges when seeking assistance, such as linguistic and cultural barriers. Culturally specific community-based organizations are more likely to understand these challenges because they are familiar with the culture, language, and background of victims from their communities, who in turn are more inclined to seek services from such organizations. The goal of the SAS culturally specific program is to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault, which serve a vital role in providing services that are relevant for their communities.