Johnson County agency receives grants to support victims of sexual assault

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:07 AM

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The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) awarded more than $6,800,000 in grant funding to organizations that support victims of sexual assault in Indiana through two grant programs.

One of those organizations is in Johnson County.

The funding will go to support rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations that provide core services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault in Indiana. The funding was provided through the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) and Sexual Assault Victim Assistance Fund Grant (SAVAF).

The SASP grant program provides direct intervention and related assistance to victims of sexual assault and their families. These funds are made available to rape crisis centers and related non-profits through the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

For the 2024 grant cycle, $896,007.98 was awarded to 11 organizations across the state. These funds will support sexual assault programming and advocacy services in Indiana.

The SAVAF grant program was established in 2016 by the Indiana General Assembly. This program provides a comprehensive statewide response to support victims of sexual assault. This includes establishing and maintaining rape crisis centers along with providing services that work to address the physical, psychological and emotional needs of victims.

Receiving SAVAF funds is Assist Indiana, Inc., based in Johnson County. Through the two funding years the agency will receive $951, 475.71.

For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, $5,907,452.45 was awarded to 17 organizations across the state. Some areas funded in the grant cycle include safe shelter, counseling, crisis lines, advocacy support, referrals, and prevention services.

“The organizations receiving funding provide more than just direct support,” said Kim Lambert, ICJI Victim Services Director. “They are leading the fight against sexual assault by engaging communities and implementing innovative prevention strategies.”

The grants were approved by the ICJI Board of Trustees earlier this month and will be made available to organizations starting in January.

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