The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid victims…

The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women awarded Casa Juana Colon, Apoyo Y Orientacion A La Mujer, Inc. $750,000 under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program on October 1, 2025.

Casa Juana Colon will provide comprehensive civil and criminal legal assistance to victims ages 11 and older of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the judicial regions of Aibonito, Caguas, and Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Legal services include representation in family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, campus administrative, and protection or stay away order proceedings; assistance in criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters including sentencing, parole, and probation that impact victim safety and privacy; alternative dispute resolution and restorative practices; and post-conviction relief proceedings where a victim's conviction is related to or arose from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking.

The award period runs from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028. Casa Juana Colon is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in Comerio, Puerto Rico, and this is a direct prime grant with no identified sub-recipients.

The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid victims (ages 11 and older) of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. Legal assistance includes assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in: a) family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing matters, campus administrative, or protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar matters; b) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victims safety and privacy; c) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy; and d) post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, tribal, or territorial court where the conviction of a victim is related to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or SEX trafficking. 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(24)(c). Through this new legal assistance for victims project casa juana colon, apoyo y orientacion a LA mujer, INC., will provide legal assistance services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault in the judicial regions of aibonito, caguas, and bayamn, puerto rico.