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 Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women has awarded Goodwin University a $400,000 Project Grant under the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program (CFDA 16.525). This 3-year grant, effective October 1, 2024, will enable Goodwin University, in collaboration with Interval House, YWCA New Britain, and the East Hartford Police Department, to: 1) establish a coordinated community response team; 2) provide domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking prevention programming for all students; 3) train campus law enforcement on effective response tactics; 4) offer 24-hour confidential victim services and advocacy; and 5) conduct ongoing training for personnel in the campus resolution process. This comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach aims to enhance victim services, implement prevention education, and strengthen security and investigation strategies to combat gender-based violence on Goodwin University's campus.

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, enhance victim safety and the provision of 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. Goodwin university is a private community college located in east hartford, CT. With this new award, goodwin university, in collaboration with interval house, ywca new britain, and the town of east hartford police department, will: 1) create a coordinated community response team to oversee all planning and implementation activities; 2) provide prevention programming, including bystander intervention and ongoing prevention activities to all students on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; 3) provide ongoing training to all campus law enforcement on how to effectively respond to these crimes; 4) provide access to 24-hour confidential victim services and advocacy; and 5) conduct ongoing training to all personnel in the campus resolution process.