This program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20121. The Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524) is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (ages 11 to 24) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault 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” is assistance in: a) divorce, parental rights, child support, Tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, campus, education, healthcare, privacy, contract, consumer, civil rights, protection or other injunctive proceedings, related enforcement proceedings, and other similar matters; b) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-conviction matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victim’s safety, privacy, or other interests as a victim; c) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability, regardless of court involvement; or d) post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, Tribal, or territorial court with respect to a conviction of a victim relating to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking victimization of the victim.

Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20121(c), funds under this program must be used for one or more of the following purposes:

1. To implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault victim service providers and legal assistance providers to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
2. To implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of these victims.
3. To implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide competent supervised pro bono legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, except not more than 10 percent of the funds awarded may be used for this purpose. The 10 percent limit is on the funds awarded under the LAV Grant Program overall and is not specific to an individual project. 

In FY 2023, OVW has five programmatic priorities, of which the priority area(s) identified below are applicable to this program. Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to address one or more areas. Applications proposing activities in the following areas will be given special consideration.

1. Advance racial equity as an essential component of ending sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. To receive priority consideration, the lead applicant must be a culturally specific organization.
2. Strengthen efforts to prevent and end sexual assault, including victim services and civil and criminal justice responses.
3. Improve outreach, services, civil and criminal justice responses, prevention, and support for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking from underserved communities, particularly LGBTQ and immigrant communities. To receive priority consideration, the lead applicant must be a population specific organization. 

For additional information about program priorities, see: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/page/file/1465596/download#page=6

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Estimated Total Program Funding: