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),…

This Project Grant award of $382,500 was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) under the Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (CFDA 16.023). The grant was awarded to Wise Women Gathering Place, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to establish, maintain, and expand culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault within Native American communities. Key services provided through this funding include 24-hour crisis response, personal advocacy, support groups, and community outreach programs designed using Native American cultural healing approaches. The grant enables Wise Women Gathering Place, Inc. to offer a range of support services, such as rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, career counseling, and referrals to legal and medical resources for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, as well as their family and household members. The award has a project period from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

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.