Durbin Announces More Than $567,000 in Funding to Enhance Programs Addressing Violence Against Women on College Campuses

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently awarded a total of $567,196 in grants through the Office of Violence Against Women to support programs at Illinois institutions of higher education aimed at preventing and combating violent crimes against women on campus.

The funding is made available through the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program. Grants will be used to support campus-based coordinated efforts that include enhanced prevention and education programs; collaboration with community-based victim advocacy organizations; and trainings for campus police to respond effectively in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. These efforts are designed to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking crimes on college campuses.

“The grants announced today will enhance the safety and security of women on college campuses, and help ensure that all victims of sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking have a voice in our justice system and access to high-quality support services,” Durbin said.

Under this announcement, the following Illinois schools will receive funding:

• Chicago, Illinois: $270,000 in funding to Loyola University of Chicago;

• Joliet, Illinois: $297,196 in funding to Joliet Junior College.