SASP

Grant Programs Overview

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About SASP Funding

The Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) was created under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005. It is the first federal funding program dedicated solely to supporting victims of sexual assault through direct services and intervention.

SASP funds are awarded to nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations and tribal programs so communities can respond effectively to the unique and complex needs of sexual assault victims.

How SASP Funding Supports Victims

SASP funding helps ensure that survivors of sexual assault, of any age, have access to critical services that support healing, safety, and long-term recovery.

These funds help establish, maintain, and expand rape crisis centers and other programs that provide direct support to victims. Services may include crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, accompaniment, and other survivor-centered assistance.

Learn more about SASP

To learn more about federal regulations under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), please visit: https://www.justice.gov/ovw.

Eligibility

Organizations designed specifically to serve victims of sexual assault may be eligible to apply for Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) funding.

Programs receiving SASP funding must meet the following requirements:

Provide direct services to victims of sexual assault
Serve victims of all ages
Provide survivor-centered services that address the unique needs of victims
Support at least one of the six SASP program purposes
Rape crisis centers must meet the Five Standards of Care for Rape Crisis Centers, which help ensure survivors receive consistent, trauma-informed support

How SASP Supports Victims

Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) recipients must support at least one of the program purpose areas identified by the Office on Violence Against Women. These six core purposes outline the types of services that help ensure survivors of sexual assault and their families can access crisis support, advocacy, and information.

Allowable direct intervention includes the following 6 purpose areas:

24-hour hotline services providing crisis intervention services and referral.
Accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal justice, and social support systems, including medical facilities, police, and court proceedings.
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.
Information and referral to assist the sexual assault victim and family or household members.
Community-based, culturally specific services and support mechanisms, including outreach activities for underserved communities.
Development and distribution of materials on issues related to the services described in numbers 1 through 5 above.

How SASP Funds May be Used by Victim Service Programs

SASP funding may support crisis response services that provide immediate assistance to survivors of sexual assault. This can include 24-hour hotline services that offer crisis intervention, emotional support, and referrals to local resources. If a hotline addresses multiple issues, SASP funds may support the portion of services related specifically to sexual assault, and staff answering the hotline must receive sexual assault–specific training.

In some cases, SASP funds may be used to provide direct payments to victims, family members, or household members when the costs are directly related to the sexual assault. This may include expenses such as emergency food or transportation to attend court hearings, medical appointments, or advocacy services. Gift cards may be used for allowable expenses when programs follow established policies and oversight procedures.

SASP funds may support the staff and volunteers who provide services to survivors. This can include training advocates who deliver grant-funded services, as well as supervising and supporting volunteers involved in the project. Funding may also be used to improve access to services for individuals with disabilities, Deaf individuals, and people with limited English proficiency through services such as interpreters, translation, and adaptive equipment.