Minot State University's Rural Crime and Justice Center has received a $300,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant aimed at reducing domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus.
Gary Rabe, executive director of the Rural Crime and Justice Center, said the university will receive $100,000 each year of the three year grant.
Rabe said the grant has four components.
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Andrea Johnson/MDN
From left to right, Minot Police Department Chief Jason Olson, Minot State University President David Fuller, U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon and Gary Rabe, executive director of the Rural Crime and Justice Center at MSU speak at a press conference Wednesday about a $300,000 federal grant MSU has received to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus.
The university will improve campus response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus. A group will review current policy and procedure on campus and will revise and create policies where necessary and assist in the implementation of those policies. Data collection methods, communication and information sharing between the university, Minot Police Department and Minot Domestic Violence Crisis Center will be improved thorugh the newly modified policy and procedure.
The university will also develop and implement an awareness and prevention program for incoming Minot State students that will focus on sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. During orientation, the new students will also learn how "bystanders" can respond if someone they know is dealing with one of these problems.
The university will also train its disciplinary boards in the new policy and procedure and assist them in implementing these changes in disciplinary proceedings involving students.
MSU faculty and staff as well as Minot State officers and campus security will also receive training in sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking issues.
Rabe said the university will work closely with the police department and Minot Domestic Violence Crisis Center and will be taking some cues from programs that have been successfully implemented elsewhere in North Dakota.
"We want to make sure that victims are empowered to come forward and make sure that justice is done in their case," said U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon, who spoke during a press conference to announce the grant.
The grant comes from the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. Similar grants have been awarded to colleges and universities across the country since 1999, said Purdon.