Justice Department grants $300,000 to WSU Spokane for victim services
A $300,000 grant over three years from the U.S. Department of Justice will enable the Spokane campus of Washington State University to enhance what it has to offer victims of domestic or dating violence or stalking.
“Based on national data, we know that students experience violence in many areas of their lives,” says James Mohr, vice chancellor of Student Affairs at WSU Spokane (pictured). “This grant provides us the opportunity to reach those students and tell them that they are not alone and we are here to assist them.”
Mohr co-authored the successful grant with Paula Adams, associate director of Health and Wellness Services in Pullman, which has received this grant two times previously. The funding is for the Spokane campus and will be used to:
- Improve coordination among Spokane campus departments in developing awareness and prevention programs to address sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
- Improve training for campus administrators, campus security personnel and personnel serving on judicial boards on these issues.
- Develop, enlarge or strengthen victim services programs through collaboration with the YWCA.
- Increase services to populations that are traditionally underserved and often face additional barriers to accessing services including people of color; individuals who identify lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer; students with disabilities; and international students.
- Develop dedicated programs for students who are training to become nurses, doctors, and pharmacists.
To fully develop these programs, WSU Spokane will partner with community organizations including the Spokane Police Department, YWCA, NAACP, Odyssey Youth Movement, and Club de Latinas de Spokane.
The grant funding is from the the “Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking on Campus” program offered through the Office on Violence Against Women, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.