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 Guam Legal Services Corporation $750,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Legal Assistance for Victims (CFDA 16.524) program to provide civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking aged 11 and older. The award funds comprehensive direct legal services in family, immigration, employment, housing, and protection order proceedings; criminal justice investigations and prosecutions affecting victim safety; alternative dispute resolution; and post-conviction relief proceedings where conviction is related to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking. Guam Legal Services Corporation will deliver updated program brochures, safety plan booklets, and digital materials during the performance period. The organization operates in partnership with Victim Advocates Reaching Out (VARO) to execute the project. Performance will take place in Guam through September 30, 2028.

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, guam legal services corporation, in partnership with victim advocates reaching out (VARO), will provide civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault. The following products will be developed during the project period: updated program brochures, safety plan booklets, and digital materials.