U.S. Department
of Justice
Discretionary Grant Programs
OVW administers grant programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 and subsequent legislation that are "discretionary," meaning OVW is responsible for creating program parameters, qualifications, eligibility, and deliverables in accordance with authorizing legislation. These grant programs are designed to develop the nation's capacity to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by strengthening services to victims and holding offenders accountable.
The Abuse in Later Life Program addresses elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, against victims who are 50 years of age or older through training and services.
The Campus Program strengthens the response of institutions of higher education to the crimes of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campuses and enhances collaboration among campuses, local law enforcement, and victim advocacy organizations.
The Consolidated Youth Program creates a unique opportunity for communities to increase collaboration among non-profit victim service providers, violence prevention programs, and child and youth organizations serving victims ages 0-24. Additionally, it supports organizations and programs that promote boys’ and men’s role in combating violence against women and girls.
The Culturally Specific Program supports the development of innovative culturally specific strategies and projects to enhance access to services and resources for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
The Disability Program establishes and strengthens multidisciplinary collaborative relationships and increases organizational capacity to provide accessible, safe, and effective services to individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
The Improving Criminal Justice Response Program (ICJR Program) encourages state, local, and tribal governments and state, local, and tribal courts to treat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as serious violations of criminal law requiring the coordinated involvement of the entire criminal justice system.
The Justice for Families Program (JFF Program) improves the response of all aspects of the civil and criminal justice system to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse.
The Legal Assistance Program (LAV Program) strengthens civil and criminal legal assistance programs for adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are seeking relief in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence.
This program expands and strengthens services for victims and survivors who are Deaf and have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
The Rural Program enhances the safety of rural victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, and supports projects uniquely designed to address and prevent these crimes in rural areas.
The Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (SAS Culturally Specific Program) creates, maintains, and expands sustainable sexual assault services provided by organizations that are uniquely situated to respond to the needs of sexual assault victims from culturally specific populations.
The Transitional Housing Program funds organizations to assist victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are in need of transitional housing, short-term housing assistance, and related supportive services.
The Tribal Governments Program enhances the ability of tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, enhance victim safety, and develop education and prevention strategies.
The Tribal Jurisdiction Program assists Indian tribes in planning, implementing, and exercising "special tribal criminal jurisdiction" to hold accountable non-Indians who commit crimes in Indian country.
The Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program (TSASP Program) enhances the ability of tribes to respond to violent crimes against Indian women, enhance victim safety, and develop education and prevention strategies.
The Underserved Program supports the development and implementation of strategies targeted at adult or youth victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking in underserved populations, and victim services to meet the needs of such populations.
Find Your Local Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The Office on Violence Against Women does not provide services directly to the general public. To find help, see our state-by-state guide to see who serves your area, or you can find the number to a national hotline.
