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 U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded a $382,500 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023) project grant to Manavi, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The grant, which runs from October 2024 to September 2027, enables Manavi to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault within the South Asian community. The funded services include advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention, support services, referrals, and direct financial assistance tailored to the unique linguistic and cultural needs of this population. Manavi has also received sub-awards from the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Formula Grant Program to provide comprehensive services, such as crisis hotlines, counseling, legal and medical advocacy, and outreach.

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.