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 African Family Health Organization (Afaho) was awarded a $381,943 Project Grant under the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women's Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023). The grant will be used to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault from diverse racial and ethnic communities, including African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area. Afaho, a minority and woman-owned non-profit organization, will use the 36-month grant funding to provide a range of services such as advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention, support services, and referrals to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, as well as their family and household members. The funding will also support the development of policies, procedures, training, and program documents to deliver these culturally sensitive services effectively.

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. In order to assist some applicants in establishing comprehensive, culturally specific sexual assault services for victims, in FY 2024, OVW will offer planning grants for $375,000 for a total of 36 months, of which $100,000 is designated for planning only for a period of up to 24 months. Funds must be used to support the establishment of culturally specific sexual assault services. Planning grant activities may include policy and procedure development, sexual assault training, creation and/or revision of program documents. Planning grants may not be used to provide direct services to sexual assault victims. Applicants must be culturally specific organizations and have a partner with a demonstrated history of providing sexual assault victim services.