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 Victim Rights Law Center Inc. $600,000 under the Legal Assistance for Victims (CFDA 16.524) program on October 1, 2025, for a continuation project delivering civil legal assistance to victims of sexual assault and stalking in Massachusetts.

The recipient will provide comprehensive direct legal services to sexual assault and stalking survivors in matters including family law, housing, employment, immigration, protection orders, criminal justice proceedings, and campus-based administrative matters. The project commits 80 percent or more of grant activities to non-intimate partner sexual assault legal services. Performance occurs in Boston, Massachusetts, through September 30, 2027. This award continues prior grant 15JOVW-22-GG-00284-LEGA.

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 continuation legal assistance for victims project, victim rights law center will provide civil legal assistance to victims of sexual assault and/or stalking in massachusetts. The project will address the following statutory consideration:improve the availability of legal services for sexual assault survivors by focusing 80% or more of its grant activities on non-intimate partner sexual assault legal services. This award is a continuation of 15JOVW-22-GG-00284-lega.