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The Justice Department is allocating nearly $60 million to legal services and improved court responses to domestic and sexual violence.
The Office on Violence Against Women has awarded $58,860,034 under the Legal Assistance for Victims Program, Justice for Families Program, Expanding Legal Services Initiative and the Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative, the DOJ announced Sept. 8. That includes $700,000 allocated to the Indiana judiciary via the Justice for Families Program.
“Access to legal assistance is a lifeline for survivors of gender-based violence,” Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a news release. “Survivors must be able to access services and support that provide a pathway to safety and justice. The Justice Department funding announced today will expand access to legal representation and make it easier for thousands of survivors to navigate the justice system every year.”
According to the DOJ, the services provide interventions, such as securing restraining or protective orders, and address issues such as child custody, immigration, housing and employment that are needed for survivor safety.
There is a significant overlap between domestic violence and family law, particularly in cases involving children, the DOJ said. Survivors often need legal counsel to navigate complex issues like child custody, visitation and child support, because the legal system can be overwhelming for survivors who are simultaneously managing the emotional and physical toll of abuse.
“The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant, in conjunction with the Justice for Families Program and the Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative, serve as a powerful multi-pronged strategy to transform the justice system’s approach to supporting families affected by violence,” OVW Director Rosemarie Hidalgo said in the news release. “These grants enhance court-related programs, trauma-informed training, and resources, while also providing victims with specialized legal support.”
Specifically, OVW awarded a total of $39,638,367 to 55 grantees under the LAV Program, which addresses the legal needs of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
ELSI, which operates under the LAV Program, awarded $3,199,306 through eight grants to support the development of new legal services programs.
The JFF Program awarded $15,272,361 to 25 projects that aim to improve the capacity of communities and courts in responding to families impacted by violence. That includes the allocation to the Indiana state courts.
Finally, $750,000 was awarded under the Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative to recognize well-established specialized courts and enable them to guide newly established specialized courts and court-based programs that wish to significantly improve their responses to domestic violence cases and ensure victim safety and offender accountability.
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