The OVW Violence Against Women Tribal Special Assistant United States Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Initiative (Assistance Listing # 16.055) is authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-42, 138 Stat. 25, 143. This initiative supports Tribes and United States Attorneys Offices (USAOs) in their investigation and prosecution of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, sex trafficking, and stalking cases in Indian country. Grant funds support salary, fringe benefits, training, travel, and supplies for dedicated tribal prosecutors who are cross-designated as Tribal SAUSAs to work directly with their USAOs. The goals of the initiative are to fill gaps in jurisdictional coverage; increase communication and coordination with Tribal, federal, and state law enforcement agencies; establish consistent relationships between federal prosecutors and the Tribal community(ies); and improve the quality of investigation and prosecution of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking cases through training and best practices, such as DOJs recently released framework for prosecutors on strengthening responses to these crimes.
