Violence Prevention and Intervention Program
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.
Office on Violence Against Women College Campus Grant
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.
The Campus Program encourages a comprehensive coordinated community approach that enhances victim safety, provides services for victims, and supports efforts to hold offenders accountable. The funding supports activities that develop and strengthen trauma informed victim services and strategies to prevent, investigate and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Survivor Support Group
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.
Currently enrolled students are eligible to register for the group.
Project Director
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 & Intervention Program. The Project Coordinator is also responsible for training programs for campus safety and security personnel, incoming students, student conduct, staff and the campus Coordinated Community Response Team.
Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT)
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.
SPELMAN COLLEGE CCRT MEMBERS
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.