Violence against women -- including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking -- is a serious problem on campuses, as it is across the nation. On campuses, however, unique issues arise. To address these particular circumstances, Congress created the Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus Program.
In 2018, Spelman College was one of 57 colleges and universities across the nation – and the only institution in Georgia – awarded funds by the Justice Department to address sexual violence on campus. Spelman College was awarded the grant again in 2021.
Spelman’s grant will support a comprehensive campus program that focuses on improving the way that the College identifies and responds to incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The funding will also cover the development of culturally-appropriate, linguistically-accessible print or electronic materials to address prevention and intervention of sexual violence to create systemic, sustainable change.
The Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program (Campus Program) was created by Congress in recognition of the unique issues and challenges that colleges and universities face in preventing and responding to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. The primary purposes of the Campus Program are to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies to prevent and prosecute domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campuses, and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving such crimes against women on campuses.
Paula Dobbs, LCSW, the Project Director, is responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of statutory and other program requirements, as well as coordinating and managing all grant-related activities within the Violence Prevention and Intervention Program.
She is also responsible for training programs for campus safety and security personnel, incoming students, student conduct, staff and the campus Coordinated Community Response Team.
A coordinated community response approach ensures a timely, culturally relevant and respectful response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking committed on or off campus. Implementing such an approach requires establishing a Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT).
Spelman’s CCRT is a multi-disciplinary team of campus and community partners that meet regularly to assess, plan, monitor and evaluate campus prevention and response efforts. This team coordinates all prevention and intervention efforts; facilitates communication between key campus departments and community partners; ensures messages across efforts are consistent and reinforced; and ensures the system’s response to victims is seamless, consistent and supportive.
Please contact scvpiprogram@spelman.edu for more information.
The Spelman Coordinated Community Response Team is a multi-disciplinary team comprised of campus and community entities. The Community Partners are highlighted and hyperlinked below.
SPELMAN COLLEGE LAUNCHES WEEKLY PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR STUDENT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND STALKING.
Through the Violence Prevention and Intervention Program, Spelman College is able to increase existing services by establishing a psycho-educational support group. This group will offer student victim/survivors a confidential place to explore impact of interpersonal violence and gain skills in their journey toward healing. The development of a psycho-educational support group is a collaboration between the Violence Prevention & Intervention Program and Counseling Center.
VP&I Peer Educators are dedicated students who are trained to be leaders who educate their peers about topics around consent, sexual violence prevention, bystander intervention, healthy relationships, and survivor support. Applications open annually in April.