The grants to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus program (campus program) is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20125

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded a $399,999 Project Grant on October 1, 2023 to Saint Joseph's University under the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program (CFDA #16.525). This 3-year grant will enable Saint Joseph's University, in collaboration with the Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center, Laurel House, and the Lower Merion Police Department, to continue providing comprehensive victim services, implement prevention and education programs, and develop security and investigation strategies to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on the university's campus. Key objectives include elevating response efforts, enhancing awareness through leadership commitment, and expanding services for LGBTQIA+ students.

The program provides a unique opportunity for institutions of higher education to establish multidisciplinary approaches to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campuses. These comprehensive efforts are designed to enhance victim services (including legal services), implement prevention and education programs, and develop and strengthen security and investigation strategies to prevent, prosecute, and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The campus program supports activities that develop campus-based coordinated responses among campus victim services, campus law enforcement, health care providers, housing officials, administrators, student leaders, faith-based organizations, student organizations, and disciplinary boards, and enhance victim safety and assistance and hold offenders accountable. To be effective, these responses must be linked to local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors offices, courts, and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim advocacy and victim services organizations. Saint josephs university is a private, faith-based institution located in philadelphia, PA. With this continuation award, saint josephs university (SJU), in collaboration with the victim services center of montgomery county, INC (VSC), the philadelphia sexual assault response center (psarc), laurel house, and the lower merion police department will continue to meet the statutory and programmatic requirements. In addition, the project will: 1) continue to collaborate with community partners VSC, psarc, and laurel house to provide victim services to students through on campus office hours, virtual office hours, and off-campus meetings; 2) elevate the sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking responses; 3)enhance awareness and sustain efforts by leadership's commitment todevelopprevention, education, and student services and prioritize holistic wellness programming; and 4) expand services for lgbtqia+ students in partnership with imou partners, SJU pride, and the SJU alliance.