DOJ Hosts Event for Survivors of Sexual Harassment, Assault and Misconduct
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in observance the departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development held an event on Tuesday for survivors of sexual harassment, assault and misconduct.
During the virtual event, panelists emphasized the need to fund culturally specific, community-based organizations and population-specific organizations for communities of color, tribes and underserved communities who face complex challenges when attempting to access support services for survivors.
In accordance with President Biden’s executive order on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government, the DOJ also released an Equity Action Plan on April 14.
The Equity Action Plan will focus on federal financial assistance, access to grants, language barriers, stakeholder engagement, and contracting and procurement to advance equity for underserved communities nationwide.
Some of the panelists attending the Survivors of Sexual Harassment, Assault and Misconduct event shared that housing for sexual assault survivors has been a huge concern because they are often underserved by traditional housing services.
That’s why the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative and the Violence Against Women Act of 2022 will expand housing stability for survivors by enhancing housing assistance and also legal aid to help reduce the risk of homelessness for survivors.
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