Sexual Assault Services

The Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) in Ohio is administered by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Health Improvement and Wellness. This program was established following the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005), 42 U.S.C. §14043g, marking the first federal funding stream solely dedicated to providing direct intervention and related assistance to victims of sexual assault. The primary objective of SASP is to support rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations or tribal programs in delivering services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault and their families. The funding scope of SASP encompasses various services aimed at supporting survivors. These services include 24-hour hotline assistance offering crisis intervention and referrals; accompaniment and advocacy through medical, criminal justice, and social support systems; crisis intervention; short-term individual and group support services; comprehensive service coordination and supervision to assist victims and their families; information and referral services; community-based, linguistically and culturally specific services and support mechanisms, including outreach activities for underserved communities; and the development and distribution of materials related to these services. Eligibility for SASP funding is extended to rape crisis centers and other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations, including faith-based and community organizations, as well as tribal nonprofit organizations. These entities must provide direct intervention and related assistance to adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, their families, and those affected by the assault. Additionally, organizations focusing on culturally specific communities, such as Asian American, African American, and Hispanic populations, are encouraged to apply to ensure services are tailored to the unique needs of these groups. Submission requirements typically involve completing an online application detailing the organization's capacity to deliver the proposed services, a comprehensive budget outlining the intended use of funds, and adherence to guidelines set forth in the solicitation. While specific application questions and evaluation criteria may vary annually, they generally assess the organization's experience, proposed service delivery plan, collaboration with other community entities, and strategies for reaching underserved populations.