Health and Wellness Center Receives
Department of Justice Grant

Montclair State University's Health and Wellness Center has received a $200,000 grant by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a program to reduce violent crimes against women on campus. The funding will continue the work that began in 2002 with a grant from the DOJ and allow the University to continue its efforts to create a campus environment of nonviolence toward women by strengthening services and broadening outreach and programming activities.

The project will expand victim services by increasing collaboration with a community advocacy partner to improve advocacy services; increase campus advocacy training; establish a community partner/campus referral system; and develop a co-sponsored awareness campaign.

The proposal for the grant was submitted by Donna Barry, director of the Health Center and associate director of University Health and Counseling Services, and Jhon Velasco coordinator of the Center for Non-Violence and Prevention Programs.

Funding will also go toward the development and implementation of training, outreach, awareness and prevention programs with a focus on underserved populations, including African-American, Latina, Asian and lesbian/bisexual, and international women to increase reporting and access to services.

Another goal is to create educational programming and awareness campaigns that challenge men to redefine male stereotypes, responsibility, civility and respect and its impact on violence against women resulting in behavior changes and a reduction in violence against women incidents.

It was five years ago when a student came to Barry at the Health and Wellness Center looking for help. The student had been sexually assaulted, but didn't want to be taken to an emergency room hospital for a forensic examination. "We did not have the full gamut of services to assist this student," said Barry. "We had the medical capabilities, but not the forensic. The student wanted the examination, but didn't want to go to a cold, unfamiliar hospital. I felt we did a disservice to this student and the rest of the campus community."

Barry and two nurse practitioners underwent specialized training to become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. She and two other nurse practitioners in the Health and Wellness Center received this training, which allows them to provide medical treatment after examining victims for forensic evidence collection. They are on call 24-7. University Police also received special training in issues regarding sexual assault law and victims' rights and needs. The University then teamed up with the Essex County Rape Care Center, where trained advocates are available to provide emotional support, education or referrals to the victim.

Montclair State now has a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) modeled after New Jersey State Standards for Providing Services to Survivors of Sexual Assault. In addition, the Health and Wellness Center serves as a designated site in Essex County where campus victims of sexual assault can be treated. "State law requires each county to have sites in emergency rooms where this treatment can be done," Barry explained. "We now serve as such a site."

Montclair State is the only college or university in New Jersey that performs forensic examinations on campus, and the only one to be recognized by its county as an official site. The service is available to all members of the campus community and visitors age 13 and older. "Many campuses nationwide have SARTs," Barry explained. "But only a small number do provide services on campus."

The original grant money was used to purchase equipment to enhance the Center's forensic examination abilities and to develop programs for both men and women that will change social norms regarding women and violence. According to Barry, “The 2002 grant outcomes show significant progress in changing the culture, raising awareness and reporting violence against women on campus.”