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 $750,000 to Montana Legal Services Association on October 1, 2025, under the Legal Assistance for Victims program (CFDA 16.524) to provide comprehensive civil and criminal legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking aged 11 and older in Southeastern Montana, including the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Reservations.

The award funds direct legal representation in family, tribal, immigration, employment, housing, and protection order proceedings; criminal justice investigations and prosecutions impacting victim safety; alternative dispute resolution and restorative practices; and post-conviction relief proceedings where the victim's conviction relates to abuse or violence. Montana Legal Services Association partners with YWCA Billings, Northern Lights Family Justice Center, and the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Tribal Courts to deliver services. The period of performance runs through September 30, 2028, with place of performance in Helena, Montana.

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, montana legal services association in partnership with ywca billings, northern lights family justice center, and the northern cheyenne and crow tribal courts, will provide comprehensive legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault in southeastern montana, including the cheyenne and crow reservations. The project will address the following statutory considerations: improve the availability of legal services for sexual assault survivorsand/or programs assisting victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault on lands within the jurisdiction of an indian tribe. The following products will be developed during the project period: handouts, powerpoint presentations, brochures, online resources, and packets.