OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Legal Assistance for Victims - Solicitation

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. Intake or referral, by itself, does not constitute legal assistance. 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(24)(C) and (D). For additional information about this program and related performance measures, including how awards contribute to the achievement of program goals and objectives, see:

OVW grant program information: OVW Grants and Programs Webpage.
Program performance measures under the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative: VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative webpage.
Program-specific sections in OVW's most recent report to Congress on the effectiveness of VAWA grant programs.

What's New About this OVW Program

The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 revised statutory provisions addressing the LAV Grant Program.

Legal assistance may be provided to victims in 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.
Legal assistance may be provided in alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability, regardless of court involvement.
Legal assistance may be provided by Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accredited representatives in immigration proceedings, in Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) claims by VA authorized representatives, or anyone who functions as an attorney or lay advocate in tribal court, in addition by licensed attorneys.
The Delivery of Legal Assistance certification requirements have been revised.