College of Saint Mary awarded DOJ grant to combat sexual violence on campus

OMAHA, NEB. – The Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has announced College of Saint Mary (CSM) will receive grant money from the OVW Campus Grant Program. CSM is one of just 57 schools nationally that will receive the grant to address sexual violence on campus.

“We’re excited to have this financial resource to help build an even safer and more caring campus setting for women throughout our community,” said CSM President Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM. “This grant will go a long way as we build out even more systems and programs that promote, encourage, and empower women on campus.”

With awards totaling more than $18 million, OVW’s Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program support institutions of higher education in implementing comprehensive, coordinated responses to violent crimes on campus through partnerships with victim services providers and justice agencies.  Recipients of the grants will work with local law enforcement, prosecutors, campus athletic, programs, Greek life organizations, and off-campus victim services to make campuses safer. The awards will make a range of services possible, including specialized training for campus law enforcement, healthcare providers, university personnel and others who are often first responders.

“It is vital to keep our students safe on campuses by supporting programs that take a coordinated community approach to education and prevention of sexual assault on our college and university campuses,” said OVW Acting Director Katharine Sullivan.  “OVW is proud of our innovative approach to the development of the campus grant programs.  We welcome our new grantees and congratulations to our continuing grantees.”  

The College will use the financial award to further ensure the safety of students and carry out its mission to provide a safe, inclusive campus setting where women can live, learn, grow and become emboldened community leaders. With a 40-acre campus located in the heart of Omaha’s Aksarben Village, College of Saint Mary is a thriving Catholic university that provides access to affordable, transformative education as well as lifelong leadership and learning opportunities.

CSM is the only college in Nebraska to be awarded the grant. Click here for a full list of recipients.