College Relations

Karen Cady at 978-542-7500, Director, College Relations

Salem, Mass. - The federal Office on Violence Against Women has awarded Salem State College a grant in the amount of $197,759 to develop and strengthen effective responses to violence against women. Awarded under the Department of Justice's "Grants to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on Campus," the grant to Salem State was one of only 17 new programs funded nationwide, from a field of 133 applicants. Fourteen existing programs around the country were continued during this fiscal year.

"As Salem State's resident population increases, this grant could not have come at a better time," said Congressman John F. Tierney, a strong advocate for the program. He added, "As the campus police force enhances their programs to train officers and strengthen their outreach to students, I look forward to seeing all the good this grant will do for the Salem State community."

College president Nancy Harrington envisions this award as "a unique opportunity for our campus to establish multidisciplinary consortia that will educate everyone on effective ways to address the steady increase of violence against women in our society." Citing a policy of "zero tolerance for violence against women on campus," Harrington envisions that by working in collaboration with the city of Salem and Help for Abused Women and their Children (HAWC), the benefits of this program will extend far beyond the college campus.

Funds will be used to create a "Violence Against Women Prevention Project" (VAWPP) within the SSC Campus Police Department. These will enable enhancements to current campus programs that address violence against women and will develop new programs that will educate new students, law enforcement personnel, judicial boards and staff and faculty. New standard operating procedures to address crimes such as stalking, electronic harassment (telephone, computers), hate crimes or sexual assaults will enhance victim services and encourage the reporting of violent crimes. A mandatory training program for all freshmen will be created, other educational programs will be offered to begin the effort to change in a positive way the social norms and attitudes that currently present risks on campus.

As supervisor of this new program, Lt. William G. Anglin, acting chief of police at SSC, believes that while "the actual magnitude of the problem is difficult to measure, the VAWPP will create a comprehensive approach to bringing the problem out in the open and providing the services that victims need to feel safe when reporting crimes, and will change policies and attitudes to prevent future violent crimes from occurring."