CONGRESSMAN BENNIE G. THOMPSON ANNOUNCES DOJ AWARD TO OUR HOUSE INC. FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM

BOLTON, MS – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson is proud to announce that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded Our House Inc., based in Greenville, Mississippi, a federal grant of $382,500 under the Fiscal Year 2024 Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program. The award, made through the OVW’s Sexual Assault Services Culturally Specific Program (SAS Culturally Specific Program), will be utilized to enhance culturally specific services for survivors of sexual assault in the region.

The SAS Culturally Specific Program was created by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 and is the first federal funding stream solely dedicated to direct intervention and assistance for victims of sexual assault. The program supports services such as advocacy, crisis intervention, court and medical accompaniment, and referrals for adult, youth, and child survivors. It also aims to address the unique challenges faced by victims from culturally specific communities, such as linguistic and cultural barriers.