Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program

Project Types

Applicants may propose to implement either a Standard project or an Improving Tribal Responses to Sexual Assault (ITRSA) Capacity-Building project. 

• Standard project: Applicants must propose activities under the TSASP statutory purpose areas. 
• Improving Tribal Responses to Sexual Assault (ITRSA) Capacity-Building project: ITRSA Capacity-Building applicants will initially engage in a comprehensive assessment process that identifies the strengths and gaps of their community’s responses to sexual assault. Following the assessment, a customized project implementation plan will be developed in consultation with an OVW-designated Technical Assistance Provider(s). The plan will detail short-term and long-term strategies to provide sexual assault services.
• ITRSA Capacity-Building grantees will participate in individualized training and technical assistance (TTA), focused on intervention and related assistance to those victimized by sexual assault. TTA will target areas such as, but not limited to: 1) crisis intervention services and referral, 2) accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal justice and support social systems, 3) short-term individual and group support services, and 4) comprehensive service coordination.
  

TSASP supported projects provide intervention, advocacy, accompaniment (e.g., accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, or police departments), support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, non-offending family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault.

By statute, 34 U.S.C. § 12511(b)(2)(C), "intervention and related assistance" includes:

1. 24-hour hotline services providing crisis intervention services and referral.
2. Accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal justice, and social support systems, including medical facilities, police, and court proceedings.
3. Crisis intervention, short-term individual and group support services, direct payments, and comprehensive service coordination and supervision to assist sexual assault victims and family or household members.
4. Information and referral to assist the sexual assault victim and family or household members.
5. Community-based, culturally specific services and support mechanisms, including outreach activities for underserved communities 
6. The development and distribution of materials on issues related to the services described in (1) – (5).

Note: Direct payments to victims and their family or household members must be for costs directly related to the sexual assault. 

Applications proposing activities in the following area will be given special consideration.

• Improve outreach, services, and support for survivors of sexual assault from underserved victims within tribal communities, particularly two-spirit victims. Examples of activities that can address this priority area include proposing to provide services tailored to the needs of the underserved population or expanding referrals for services to community-based organizations that serve a particular underserved community. 

Mandatory Program Requirements can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/page/file/1573591/download#page=10.

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Estimated Total Program Funding: