Justice Department Awards $25 Million to Address Sexual Violence on Campuses

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The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) today announced 61 grants totaling $25 million to help students who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. In fiscal year 2016, OVW is awarding twice as many grants (45) to institutions of higher education compared to last year. Also this year, OVW is awarding 16 grants to organizations that will provide legal assistance to victims on campuses.

The recipients of these competitive awards will work to deliver effective, comprehensive and coordinated strategies that help survivors heal; reduce campus sexual and domestic violence; and improve the institution’s response to these crimes. The awards will make possible a range of services, including specialized training for campus law enforcement, healthcare providers, university housing personnel and others who are often first responders. The Legal Assistance for Victims Program grant recipients will assist students – who generally do not know about legal options and resources – with legal needs associated with these crimes.

OVW encourages colleges and universities to use data from a campus climate survey to determine their institution’s specific needs and create a customized plan to respond. Campus climate surveys identify the nature and scope of the problem by describing student behaviors and perceptions, as well as pointing out opportunities for intervention and prevention. The department developed and validated a free survey that is particularly useful.

“Schools that individualize their response to sexual, dating and domestic violence are better able to meet the unique needs of their student populations, especially underserved groups,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Bea Hanson, Ph.D. “Coordinated, comprehensive responses allow college communities to develop sustainable strategies to address these crimes.”

Also during September, which is National Campus Safety Awareness Month, OVW has published a series of blog posts on best practices for keeping campuses safe for all.

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