Justice Department Announces $8.5 Million in Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking on College Campuses

9-16-15 Washington DC:

The Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) today announced 27 awards totaling $8.5 million to enhance victim services and develop programs to prevent, investigate and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus. The awards are made with funds from the Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program (campus program).

The campus program supports institutions of higher education in developing comprehensive coordinated campus and community-based approaches to prevent and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Recipients are required to conduct mandatory prevention and education programming for all incoming students and to train campus law enforcement and all members of campus disciplinary boards to respond effectively to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Campuses can use funds to develop and adopt policies and protocols that prioritize victim safety and hold offenders accountable.

“We know that victims who receive comprehensive advocacy and services are more likely to achieve their goals of safety, autonomy and healing,” said Principal Deputy Director Bea Hanson of the Office on Violence Against Women. “Coordination between on-and-off campus victim services organizations and the local criminal justice system is critical to providing holistic support and services that victims need and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.” ..Continue.. by DOJ