Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP)

The Sexual Assault Services Program provides intervention, advocacy, accompaniment (i.e., accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault. SASP, created by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. §14043g, is the first federal funding stream solely dedicated to the provision of direct intervention and related assistance for victims of sexual assault. SASP provides intervention, advocacy, accompaniment (i.e., accompanying victims to court, medical facilities, police departments, etc.), support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault. Rape crisis centers play a vital role in assisting sexual assault victims through the healing process, as well as assisting victims through the medical, criminal justice, and other social support systems. In order to provide comprehensive services to victims of sexual assault, SASP assists states in supporting rape crisis centers in the provision of direct intervention and related assistance.