OVW FY 2016 Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program

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Sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are serious problems on college and university campuses. Congress created the Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program (hereinafter referred to as the Campus Program) in recognition of the unique issues and challenges that colleges and universities face in preventing and responding to these crimes. This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 14045b. The Campus Program encourages a comprehensive coordinated community approach that enhances victim safety, provides services for victims and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable. The funding supports activities that develop and strengthen victim services and strategies to prevent, investigate, respond to and prosecute these crimes. The development of campus-wide coordinated responses involving campus victim service providers, law enforcement officers, health providers, housing officials, administrators, student leaders, faith-based leaders, representatives from student organizations, and disciplinary board members is critical. To be effective, campus responses must also link to local off-campus criminal justice agencies and service providers, including local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices, courts, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim advocacy and victim services organizations. Campuses are encouraged to create or revitalize large-scale efforts that treat sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking as serious offenses by adopting policies and protocols, developing victim services and programs that prioritize victim safety, ensuring offender accountability, and implementing effective prevention approaches. Colleges and universities should demonstrate to every student that these crimes will not be tolerated, that perpetrators will face serious consequences, and that holistic services are available for victims. Please see the Campus TA supplemental document at http://www.justice.gov/tribal/file/811236/download for more information on strategies that campuses can use to implement the program requirements.

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