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 $275,000 Project Grant under the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023) to the Mahogany Cares Foundation Inc. in Milwaukee, WI. This grant, effective October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026, will enable the organization to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault from diverse communities. Services to be provided include advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention, support services, and referrals for adult, youth, and child victims, as well as their family/household members and those collaterally affected. The goal is to address the unique linguistic and cultural barriers faced by sexual assault survivors from culturally specific populations in accessing relevant and appropriate 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.