Violence Prevention

In October 2018, the Office on Violence Against Women awarded NIU a three-year grant to create a program dedicated to reducing sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus. The grant focuses on three specific purpose areas:

  • To implement and operate education programs for the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking including an active bystander education program for all students.
  • To support improved coordination among campus administrators, campus security personnel and local law enforcement, in order to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus.
  • To develop or adapt population specific strategies and projects for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking for underserved populations on campus. These populations include:
    • Underserved and/or culturally-specific populations.
    • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+).
    • Individuals with disabilities, including deaf or hard of hearing.
    • Persons with limited English proficiency.

Project Administrators

The administrators of the project are:

  • Principal Investigator: Vernese Edghill-Walden, Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer
  • Project Director: Rose M. J. Henton, Director of Coordinated Education, Training and Outreach Services (rhenton@niu.edu)
  • Project Coordinator: Allison Hurlburt (ahurlburt@niu.edu)

Subcommittees

The following subcommittees are part of the project:

  • Coordinated response: provides victim-centered, trauma-informed response to reports of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. 
  • Advocacy and victim services: works directly with victims and survivors to ensure a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach to care.
  • Violence prevention: provides techniques and strategies for preventing relationship violence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this grant?

The grant was awarded by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The grant requirements include:

  • Create a Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT)
  • Develop a comprehensive prevention program that at minimum implements mandatory training for all incoming students, implements a bystander intervention program for all students and conducts ongoing prevention efforts.
  • Implement a discipline-specific training program for all campus law enforcement and persons involved in the student conduct and/or resolution process.
  • Provide access to 24-hour confidential victim services and advocacy.
Are there any funds available for projects related to the grant?

A budget was submitted and approved as part of the grant. The Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) must follow the approved budget. If funds beyond the budget become available ADEI, with the assistance of the principal investigators and approval by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), will determine future expenditures.

All grant-funded products and programs must be reviewed and approved by the OVW prior to dissemination.
Will NIU continue the programs after the end of the grant cycle?
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