News Article

Gonzaga University recently received a $189,648 U.S. Department of Justice Grant to Reduce Violent Crimes Against Women on College Campuses.

The grant’s five key objectives are to improve and enhance delivery of services to victims; train campus security, judicial board members and administrators to better identify and respond to violence against women; provide educational programs to prevent violence; develop and apply policies and services to prevent, identify and respond to violence against women; and support improved coordination between campus and local law enforcement.

The National Institute of Justice created the grants to reduce violence against women, recognizing that the victimization of college women threatens the ability of college and university administrators to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.

“We are committed to cultivate and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for all our students,” said Theresa Schinzel, Gonzaga’s sexual assault and harm prevention coordinator. “By proactively addressing the problem of violence against women, we will remain true to our values, mission and vision. Funds from this grant will help to strengthen and increase infrastructure, enhance partnerships and collaborations and create systems that can uphold and sustain change efforts.”

An emphasis of the grant is to provide relevant information and support services targeting International students, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students, law school and graduate students, and students with disabilities. A Men’s Issues Advisory Committee will be developed to increase male involvement in prevention efforts and to address cultural influences that perpetuate, reinforce and condone violence.

“What we are trying to establish with this grant is a comprehensive, strategic, and coordinated approach to preventing violence and promoting safety on campus,” Schinzel said. “The funds from this grant will be a tremendous boost to our efforts.”

Schinzel can be reached at (509) 323-5566 or via e-mail at schinzel@gonzaga.edu.