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 Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Spokane on October 1, 2025, under the Legal Assistance for Victims program (CFDA 16.524) to provide legal advice, brief services, and full attorney representation to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault in Spokane County, Washington.

The award funds comprehensive direct legal services covering family law, immigration, employment, housing, and criminal justice matters arising from abuse or violence. YWCA Spokane will deliver representation in protection order proceedings, criminal justice investigations and prosecutions, post-trial matters including sentencing and parole, alternative dispute resolution and restorative practices, and post-conviction relief proceedings where a victim's conviction relates to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking. Performance spans the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028, with services delivered in Spokane, Washington. This is a continuation of prior award 15JOVW-22-GG-00324-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, young womens christian association spokane, DBA ywca spokane, will provide legal advice, brief services, and/or full attorney representation to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault in spokane county, washington. This award is a continuation of 15JOVW-22-GG-00324-lega.