Seattle – The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women has awarded grants totaling more than $2.3 million for services to survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and stalking, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Two non-profit organizations and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe received the grants. Three of the grants were awarded to API CHAYA, a survivor-led organization focused on serving survivors of sexual violence, human trafficking, and domestic violence from Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Asian, and South Asian communities. “These federal dollars go directly to service providers who have experience working on issues of sexual assault and abuse in their communities,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “These grants recognize their expertise and community connections that enhance this work.”
API CHAYA received $1.4 million spread over three grants: $600,000 is to provide training and services to those who are deaf and/or disabled and may be the victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault and abuse by caregivers.$500,000 to support and expand existing community-based programs providing service to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The work will also develop culturally specific programs for victims who face obstacles in traditional programs.$384,000 to provide crisis response, create safety plans, and organize support groups for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Consejo Counseling and Referral Service based in Renton, Washington, was awarded $384,000 to coordinate safety planning for sexual assault survivors, do crisis intervention and safety planning and support victims though the law enforcement process.
Finally, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe was awarded $449,936 aimed at protecting seniors from abuse. The grant provides training for law enforcement and other personnel on recognizing abuse in later life. The project will develop protocols for identifying, investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating cases of abuse involving victims 50-years-old or older.