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 Healing Hands USA, Inc., a minority-owned and woman-owned nonprofit organization based in Jamaica, NY. The grant, which runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027, will be used to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault, including advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention, support services, and referrals. The goal is to provide tailored services that address the unique linguistic and cultural barriers faced by sexual assault survivors from diverse racial and ethnic communities, such as Hispanic, Asian American, and African American populations.

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.