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 $749,047 to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation on October 1, 2025, under the Legal Assistance for Victims grant program (CFDA 16.524) to provide civil and criminal legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking ages 11 and older on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

The recipient's Office of Legal Counsel Department and Family Violence Services Program will deliver comprehensive direct legal services addressing family law, tribal proceedings, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, protection order proceedings, criminal justice matters including investigations and prosecutions, alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, and post-conviction relief proceedings where convictions relate to or arise from the abuse or violence. The project will develop brochures and flyers announcing services.

Performance occurs in Pendleton, Oregon through September 30, 2028. This assistance type is a Project Grant with $749,047 obligated at award.

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, confederated tribes of the umatilla indian reservation, office of legal counsel department, and family violence services program will serve victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault on the umatilla indian reservation. The project will address the following statutory considerations: 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: brochures and flyers/announcements.