State grants more than $6,800,000 to support victims of sexual assault
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) awarded more than $6,800,000 in grant funding to organizations that support victims of sexual assault in Indiana through two grant programs.
The funding will go to support rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations that provide core services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault in Indiana. The funding was provided through the Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) and Sexual Assault Victim Assistance Fund Grant (SAVAF).
“These grants are not only an investment in healing, but an investment in justice, safety, and a brighter future in Indiana,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director for ICJI. “By empowering survivors and equipping organizations that support them with the resources they need, we create a ripple effect of resilience and hope that extends beyond the individual.”
The SASP grant program provides direct intervention and related assistance to victims of sexual assault and their families. These funds are made available to rape crisis centers and related non-profits through the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.
For the 2024 grant cycle, $896,007.98 was awarded to 11 organizations across the state. These funds will support sexual assault programming and advocacy services in Indiana.
The SAVAF grant program was established in 2016 by the Indiana General Assembly. This program provides a comprehensive statewide response to support victims of sexual assault. This includes establishing and maintaining rape crisis centers along with providing services that work to address the physical, psychological and emotional needs of victims.
For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, $5,907,452.45 was awarded to 17 organizations across the state. Some areas funded in the grant cycle include safe shelter, counseling, crisis lines, advocacy support, referrals, and prevention services.
“The organizations receiving funding provide more than just direct support,” said Kim Lambert, ICJI Victim Services Director. “They are leading the fight against sexual assault by engaging communities and implementing innovative prevention strategies.”
The grants were approved by the ICJI Board of Trustees earlier this month and will be made available to organizations starting in January.
The following is a list of the 2024 SASP award recipients. For a PDF version, click here or visit on.in.gov/SASP.
| Organization | County | Award |
| YWCA Northeast Indiana | Allen | $96,782.88 |
| A Better Way Services, Inc. | Delaware | $79,150.25 |
| Crisis Connection, Inc. | Dubois | $64,730.98 |
| Family Service Association of Howard County, Inc | Howard | $101,550.83 |
| North Central Indiana Rural Crisis Center, Inc. | Jasper | $51,898.95 |
| Fair Haven Inc. | Lake | $141,738.73 |
| The Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, Incorporated | Laporte | $64,968.82 |
| Children’s Bureau | Marion | $91,458.41 |
| The Caring Place | Porter | $41,407.00 |
| Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Inc | Vanderburgh | $134,412.89 |
| Council on Domestic Abuse, Inc. | Vigo | $27,908.24 |
The following is a list of the 2024-2025 SAVAF award recipients. For a PDF version, click here or visit on.in.gov/SAVAF.
| Organization | County | Year 1 Award | Year 2 Award | Total Award |
| A Better Way Services, Inc. | Delaware | $286,383.94 | $302,448.32 | $588,832.26 |
| The Center for Women and Families, Inc. | Floyd | $83,613.11 | $85,183.19 | $168,796.30 |
| Prevail Inc. of Hamilton County | Hamilton | $113,337.15 | $117,208.87 | $230,546.02 |
| North Central Indiana Rural Crisis Center, Inc. | Jasper | $72,015.71 | $72,715.00 | $144,730.71 |
| Assist Indiana Inc. | Johnson | $417,003.56 | $534,472.15 | $951,475.71 |
| Children and Family Services Corporation | Knox | $133,755.00 | $135,355.00 | $269,110.00 |
| Fair Haven Inc. | Lake | $298,433.91 | $323,071.79 | $621,505.70 |
| Grace Horizon, Inc. | Madison | $143,190.50 | $140,190.50 | $283,381.00 |
| Children’s Bureau | Marion | $219,328.96 | $208,693.53 | $428,022.54 |
| Unconditional Inc | Marion | $135,841.00 | $135,840.99 | $271,681.99 |
| Latino Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Incorporated | Marion | $157,987.84 | $163,936.16 | $321,924.00 |
| Middle Way House, Inc. | Monroe | $67,533.19 | $67,533.19 | $135,066.38 |
| Safe Passage, Inc. | Ripley | $222,479.00 | $284,166.49 | $506,645.49 |
| Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County, Inc | St. Joseph | $148,724.75 | $160,758.13 | $309,482.88 |
| YWCA Greater Lafayette | Tippecanoe | $128,595.41 | $168,087.49 | $296,682.91 |
| Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Inc | Vanderburgh | $82,584.16 | $77,476.51 | $160,060.67 |
| Council on Domestic Abuse, Inc. | Vigo | $106,992.73 | $112,515.16 | $219,507.89 |
About the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is the state planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety and victim services. ICJI is designated as the state administering agency for distribution of federal funds and as the state Statistical Analysis Center for research. ICJI is responsible for coordinating and collaborating with local, state and federal entities to identify, assess, plan, resource and evaluate new and emerging issues facing the criminal justice and public safety spectrum. Visit www.cji.in.gov to learn more about the agency.
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