Southwest Virginia Nonprofit Receives Federal Funding to Assist Victims

Press Release September 15, 2021

Pile of money.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Southwest Virginia nonprofit legal aid society will receive more than $585,000 from the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Program of the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar announced. Nationally, the LAV Program is awarding nearly $36 million in victim legal assistance funding to organizations across the country.

The Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society will receive $585,631 to provide legal services under the grant program.

“Aiding victims of crime is an essential function of the Department of Justice,” Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said today. “I am pleased to announce this significant grant, which will assist the Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society in continuing to bring much-needed resources to the residents of Southwest Virginia.”

The awards announced today are part of more than $475.5 million that OVW is distributing in 2021 to support projects that meaningfully address the needs of underserved and marginalized survivors, improve access to justice, enhance survivor safety, hold offenders accountable, and build a coordinated community response to violence against women.

“The awards we make this year will touch the lives of millions of survivors of violence and help our nation end these devastating crimes,” said Allison Randall, OVW Acting Director. “OVW is proud to be the leading federal voice in the country’s fight against sexual and domestic violence.”

The 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.

The Office on Violence Against Women provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.