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 Congolese Community of Central Pennsylvania has been awarded a $382,500 Project Grant under the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023). The grant, which runs from October 2024 to September 2027, supports the organization in establishing, maintaining, and expanding culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault within the Congolese community in central Pennsylvania.

The funding enables the Congolese Community of Central Pennsylvania to provide a range of services tailored to the linguistic and cultural needs of Congolese sexual assault survivors, including crisis hotlines, counseling, legal and medical advocacy, referrals, outreach, and direct financial assistance. Additionally, the organization has received sub-awards from the Crime & Delinquency Pennsylvania Commission to support its efforts in providing culturally sensitive services that address the specific needs of Black women, including non-native Black women, experiencing violence in the region.

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.