Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP)

Allowable uses of SASP funds may include:

1. SASP funds may be used to support projects that focus on direct services for children who are victims of sexual assault. Services rendered to children do not have to be in connection to serving an adult parent and there is no age restriction on providing services to children.
2. SASP funds may be used to support a hotline to the extent the hotline is for sexual assault victims. If the hotline covers a broader array of issues, the costs should be pro-rated according to the percentage of calls that are for sexual assault. In order for a multi-issue hotline to receive SASP funds, the people who answer the hotline would need to have sexual assault specific training.
3. SASP funds may be used to support volunteer related expenses as they relate to the SASP project.  Examples would include training and supervision of volunteers.
4. SASP funds may be used to train advocates (volunteer or employee) that will provide specific grant-funded services. Note: Funds may not be used to provide a generalized statewide training nor may funds be used to develop training curriculums.
5.  Direct payments to victims, their family members, or household members are allowable under the SASP program, provided the payments cover costs directly related to the sexual assault. Gift cards may be provided to clients only if they are used for allowable costs under SASP guidelines, such as purchasing emergency food or covering gas expenses for victims to attend court, appointments, or other activities related to their victimization. Programs should follow UOVC gift card guidelines and establish strong policies to oversee the use of gift cards.
6. Applicants are encouraged to allocate grant funds to support activities that help to ensure individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals and persons with limited English proficiency have meaningful and full access to their programs. For example, grant funds can be used to support American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services, language interpretation and translation services, or the purchase of adaptive equipment.

Unallowable services for SASP include:

1. SASP grant funds may not be used for education programs or training for allied professionals or the general public.
2. SASP funds may not be used for activities focused on prevention efforts (e.g. bystander intervention, social norm campaigns, presentations on healthy relationships, etc.). However funds may be used for outreach to inform persons about the services provided by a specific program. For example, a program could use pamphlets, brochures, or community presentations to announce the services available under the grant.
3. SASP funding may not be used for lobbying.
4. SASP funding may not be used for research projects. SASP funding may not be used for physical modifications to buildings, including minor renovations and vehicle purchases.
5. SASP funds may not be used for Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SANE) projects.
6. SASP funds may not be used for criminal justice-related projects including law enforcement, prosecution, courts and forensic interviews.
7. SASP funds may not be used to support Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART). However, if an advocate position is funded under the SASP grant, the advocate’s time in attending SART meetings may be covered as part of the advocacy he or she provides.
8. SASP funds may not be used for providing domestic violence services that do not relate to sexual violence.
9. SASP funds cannot be used to purchase food or beverages except in cases of emergency use for victims.
10. SASP funds may not be used for fundraising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions.

Unallowable Costs Relating to Activities that Compromise Victim Safety and Recovery

The following activities have been found to jeopardize victim safety, deter or prevent physical or emotional healing for victims, or allow offenders to escape responsibility for their actions:

1. Procedures or policies that exclude victims from receiving safe shelter, advocacy services, counseling, and other assistance based on their actual or perceived age, immigration status, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health condition, physical health condition, criminal record, work in the sex industry, or the age and/or gender of their children;
2. Crafting policies that deny individuals access to services based on their relationship to the perpetrator;
3. Developing materials that are not tailored to the dynamics of sexual assault or the culturally specific population to be served;
4. Crafting policies or engaging in practices that impose restrictive conditions to be met by the victim in order to receive services (e.g., counseling, seeking an order for protection);
5. Sharing confidential victim information with outside organizations and/or individuals without the documented consent of the victim; and
6. Crafting policies that require the victim to report the sexual assault to law enforcement.

SASP projects that engage in activities that compromise victim safety and recovery may be eliminated from further funding consideration.