SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $600K IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LEGAL SERVICES OF THE HUDSON VALLEY
Funding Will Be Used to Provide Legal Services to Victims of Domestic
Violence, Dating Violence, and Sexual Assault
Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $600,000 in federal funding for Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. The funding is provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women’s Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley will use the funding to provide legal services such as legal representation and referrals to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault. In addition, the funding will help Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to refer victims of sexual assault to support services, refer victims for services related to elder care services, and refer victims for services related to employment barriers.
“This federal funding will provide invaluable services to the residents of the Hudson Valley who have been victims of domestic violence and abuse. We must send an unequivocal message that domestic violence and violence against women will not be tolerated,” said Senator Schumer. “I am pleased that the Department of Justice has provided this funding to the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and will continue fighting to ensure that victims of domestic violence have the services they need.”
“Domestic violence and sexual assault are serious problems, and we need to work towards creating a safe environment for individuals and families. With this critical funding, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and their partners will be able to provide guidance and legal services for victims and their families when they seek help,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It is important that we support and encourage domestic violence and sexual assault victims as they seek assistance and justice, and I will always fight for programs that provide the necessary resources to protect our families.”
“This grant will allow Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to enhance and continue its services to victims throughout Orange County in collaboration with many other non-profit and government agency partners. Through this Project, victims will have access to life-saving comprehensive civil legal services along with supportive services to keep themselves and their families safe from intimate partner violence. The Project brings together legal services, domestic violence agencies, sexual assault organizations, financial empowerment services, elder abuse supportive services, and several government agencies to coordinate services to victims through a single entry point. Since the initial award of this funding in 2015 – through this Project alone – LSHV has handled 450 cases on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” said Barbara Finkelstein, Chief Executive Officer, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley.
The DOJ Office on Violence Against Women’s The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant (LAV) Program works to implement certain provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. It is designed to increase the availability of 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, at minimal or no cost to the victims. More information can be found here.
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