In an effort to make its campuses safer for women, Aquinas College is launching a new program in partnership with the Grand Rapids Police Department.
In a press release, Aquinas received a three-year grant of nearly $300K from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women to support its efforts.
School officials say the funds will go towards launching a new program designed to make campuses safer for women by working to reduce and prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus.
With the help of the Grand Rapids Police Department, the program will also focus on victims communicating, preventing, and responding to sexual assault,
The program will be overseen by Aquinas College Dean of Students, Alicia Lloyd.
“Providing a safe environment for our students and staff is critical to Aquinas,” she said. “Our campus needs to be an inclusive, safe place to learn. I am pleased that this grant will help us raise awareness and prevent crimes of this nature.”
The new program includes a Coordinated Community Response (CCR) team that consists of Aquinas College, YWCA, and GRPD, with the YWCA providing comprehensive victim services while the police department will provide support and response in criminal matters and emergencies.
