Maine Nonprofits to Receive Federal Funding for Legal Assistance to Victims

PORTLAND, Maine—Four Maine nonprofit organizations will receive a total of over $2.3 million from the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Program of the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, Acting U.S. Attorney Donald E. Clark announced. Nationally, the LAV Program is awarding nearly $36 million in victim legal assistance funding to organizations across the country.

Caring Unlimited Corporation in Sanford will receive $593,653; the Family Violence Project in Augusta will receive $596,527; the Next Step Domestic Violence Project in Ellsworth will receive $600,000; and Partners for Peace in Bangor will receive $552,131.

“Providing assistance to crime victims is one of the fundamental responsibilities of the justice system,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clark. “I am pleased that these four organizations will receive significant funding to enhance the crucial services they provide to Maine crime victims.”

The LAV Program is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, 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. Comprehensive legal services extend beyond representation in emergency and non-emergency protection order hearings to address the broad spectrum of legal issues that victims encounter, including family matters such as divorce, child custody or child support, immigration, administrative agency proceedings, and consumer or housing matters.

The Office on Violence Against Women provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.