Lotus Legal Clinic Inc

THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (LAV) GRANT PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 20121, IS INTENDED TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY AID VICTIMS (AGES 11 AND OLDER) OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, 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. LEGAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN: A) FAMILY, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING MATTERS, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROTECTION OR STAY AWAY ORDER PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-TRIAL MATTERS (INCLUDING SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIMS SAFETY AND PRIVACY; C) ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, OR OTHER PROCESSES INTENDED TO PROMOTE VICTIM SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND AUTONOMY; AND D) POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, OR TERRITORIAL COURT WHERE THE CONVICTION OF A VICTIM IS RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, OR SEX TRAFFICKING. 34 U.S.C. 12291(A)(24)(C) AND (D). THROUGH THIS NEW LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, LOTUS LEGAL CLINIC, INC., WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING IMMIGRATION, CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT, CRIMINAL BACKGROUND RELIEF, WORK AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION, AND CIVIL RESTRAINING ORDER/CIVIL PROTECTION MATTERS TO VICTIMS OF NON-INTIMATE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION WHO HISTORICALLY EXPERIENCE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING LEGAL SERVICES AND ADVOCACY POST VICTIMIZATION. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY AREAS: ADVANCE EQUITY AND TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO PREVENT AND END SEXUAL ASSAULT INCLUDING VICTIM SERVICES AND CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES. THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS WILL BE DEVELOPED DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD: OUTREACH MATERIALS ABOUT THE PROJECT.

LOTUS LEGAL CLINIC. INC. (LOTUS) WILL IMPLEMENT CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE LEGAL SERVICES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO MEANINGFULLY ADVANCE EQUITY AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED, MARGINALIZED, ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY INEQUITY, AND DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY CRIME, VIOLENCE, AND VICTIMIZATION. THIS PROJECT WILL: 1) COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY-LEVEL VICTIM SERVICE PARTNERS AND SURVIVORS TO IDENTIFY INEQUITIES IN THE ACCESS AND APPLICATION OF LEGAL REMEDIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS; 2) ADDRESS THESE INEQUITIES BY INCREASING ACCESS TO CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND VICTIM-CENTERED CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES; 3) PROVIDE BILINGUAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO VICTIMS WITH ONGOING LEGAL CASES TO ENSURE SAFETY, STABILITY, AND WELL-BEING; AND 4) PROVIDE TRAINING TO MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM IN IDENTIFYING LABOR TRAFFICKING CASES AND HOW BEST TO SUPPORT VICTIMS.