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Legal Assistance for Victims Program Fact Sheet

Legal Assistance for Victims Program

The Legal Assistance for Victims Program (LAV Program) is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, 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. Comprehensive legal services extend beyond representation in emergency and non-emergency protection order hearings to address the broad spectrum of legal issues that victims encounter, including family matters such as divorce, child custody or child support, immigration, administrative agency proceedings, and consumer or housing matters.

“Legal assistance” is assistance in:

  • Civil (excluding torts) or administrative matters;
  • Criminal justice investigations, prosecutions of the offender, and post-conviction matters that impact victims’ safety, privacy, or other interests as a victim;
  • Alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes that promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability;
  • Post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, Tribal, or territorial court. 

All matters must be related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking victimization. Intake or referral alone is not legal assistance. 

For a more comprehensive definition, please see 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(24)(C) and (D).

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include: 

  • Private nonprofit entities
  • Publicly funded law schools
  • Territorial organizations
  • Tribal governments
  • Tribal organizations

Required Partnerships

Projects must include, as a lead applicant or as a project partner, a nonprofit, nongovernmental, or Tribal organization with the mission or purpose of providing services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Sexual Assault Statutory Priority

OVW recognizes the need to address the lack of direct legal services available for survivors of sexual assault and the unique aspects of sexual assault trauma from which survivors must heal. Currently, projects proposing to focus 50% or more of legal assistance on sexual assault will receive priority consideration. Projects that focus 80% or more of legal assistance on non-intimate partner sexual assault may be prioritized and may also apply for larger award amounts.

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Updated March 6, 2025