The grants to enhance culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20124

The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women awarded $500,000 to Karidat on August 1, 2026, under the Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program (CFDA 16.016), a Project Grant supporting culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The award funds emergency shelter, therapeutic services, and referrals and other supports for victims exiting shelter through September 31, 2029. Karidat, a tax-exempt nonprofit domestic shelter provider registered in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands since 2006, delivers victim-centered and trauma-informed services to survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation across the Northern Mariana Islands, including individuals in remote, rural, and geographically isolated areas. Performance occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands. The program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20124, supports the maintenance and replication of existing successful community-based programs and development of innovative strategies to enhance access to services for victims facing obstacles to traditional programs.

This program supports the maintenance and replication of existing successful community-based programs providing culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as the development of innovative culturally specific strategies to enhance access to services and resources for victims who face obstacles to using more traditional programs. Projects must address at least one of the program's statutory purpose areas. This project will fund emergency shelter, therapeutic services, and referrals and other supports for victims when they are exiting shelter.