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.

Program Administrators

The administrators of the program are:

Program Supervisor Rose M. J. Henton, Director of Prevention Education and Outreach (rhenton@niu.edu)
Violence Prevention Program Director: Dr. Junelle Bennett (jbennett6@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.

Is this grant only for NIU or are off-campus partners included?

One of the main goals of the grant is to coordinate response and training with on and off-campus partners. We are always looking for new partners to provide a wide range of knowledge to provide the best support possible for students and employees.

These partnerships will continue after the grant cycle. Current off-campus partners include Safe Passage, DeKalb County Health Department, DeKalb Police Department and more.

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.

How long will this grant last? Can we extend the time?

This grant has a 36-month award period beginning October 2018 and ending September 30, 2021. An application for another grant cycle will be submitted when it becomes available in January 2021.

Will NIU continue the programs after the end of the grant cycle?

The Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) along with the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) and our partners will continue to lead the charge to eliminate or reduce sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus. The CCRT will continue to meet every other month.
Comprehensive prevention programs such as new student training, orientation presentations, active bystander trainings, and monthly doses of information will continue as a way to strengthen the university and student's education and understanding of violence prevention.
Partnerships within our campus community such as NIU Police and Public Safety, Ethics and Compliance Office (Title IX) and Student Affairs will continue to grow beyond the grant years.
Partnerships with our local community resources such as Safe Passage, DeKalb Police Department and Northwestern Medicine-Kishwaukee Hospital will continue to provide services to NIU students and employees.

Education and Training