Skip to main content

Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program Fact Sheet

Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program

The Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (SAS Culturally Specific Program) provides funding to support nonprofit organizations that focus primarily on culturally specific communities and have experience in the area of sexual assault intervention or partner with an organization having such expertise. The goal of the SAS Culturally Specific Program is to establish, maintain, and expand sustainable, culturally specific services addressing the needs of victims.

Survivors of sexual assault from culturally specific communities frequently confront unique challenges, such as linguistic and cultural barriers, when seeking assistance. The SAS Culturally Specific Program supports culturally specific intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault uniquely situated to respond to the needs of sexual assault victims.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include private nonprofit organizations in the United States or U.S. territories for which the primary purpose of the organization is to provide culturally specific services to one of more of the following communities: “American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Blacks, or Hispanics” (34 U.S.C. 12251 (c) & 12291(a)(8) and 42 U.S.C. 300u-6 (g)).

The award period for this program is 36 months. New and continuation applicants are both eligible. 

Grant funds can support

  • Community-based, culturally specific services and support mechanisms, including outreach activities for underserved communities and public education campaigns;
  • Information and referral to assist the sexual assault victim and family or household members;
  • Accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal justice, and social support systems, including medical facilities, police, and court proceedings;
  • Crisis intervention services and referral;
  • Short-term individual and group support services;
  • Culturally specific healing practices;
  • 24-hour hotline services.

Apply for this grant

Updated March 6, 2025