Cindy Love and Kimberly Alexander will play key roles in LHU's new Campus Violence Prevention Program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University has received a $299,545 grant from the United States Department of Justice. The three-year grant will fund the Campus Violence Prevention Program (CVPP).

The United States Department of Justice reported in 2000 that “College women are considered the most at-risk population for being sexually assaulted and rape is the most common violent crime on American college campuses today.” The CVPP an initiative to prevent violence against women on campus and to create a culture where men and women feel safe talking about it.

The CVPP is a collaborative initiative involving Lock Haven University and community partners. Dr. Kimberly Alexander, associate professor of sociology and coordinator of women’s studies at LHU, will serve as the project director.

According to Alexander, who wrote the grant proposal, the university will develop a referral system with off campus agencies to support victims. In collaboration with the Clinton County Women’s Center, law enforcement agencies and Lock Haven Hospital, this coordinated community response team will offer immediate and ongoing counseling to victims of forcible rape, date rape, domestic violence, or stalking. Services include medical and legal referrals and advocacy and support through the judicial process. Team members, trained by expert consultants from the Clinton County Women’s Center, may include faculty, staff, community volunteers, or students. The HOPE Center telephone Hotline, under the guidance of the Women’s Center, will provide information and referrals about violence prevention and how to obtain help if victimized. The Hotline will operate 24 hours a day, seven days per week, including holidays and school vacations.

In addition to serving as the CVPP faculty project director, Dr. Alexander will organize the CVPP Task Force and will coordinate with university and community partners.

The Clinton County Women’s Center will be the primary program consultant. This non-profit Center provides support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, date rape, and stalking throughout the community. It has a community network in place and the CVPP will link with and complement this initiative.

The District Attorney’s Office promises to support the CVPP by aiding victims in the judicial process, and also by training and educating key participants. The DA’s role will include training university and community partners so that they understand the judicial process and what is needed for successful prosecution of crimes against women.

The Lock Haven Police Department will refer sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking victims who are university students or staff to the Women’s Center, which will work in conjunction with the CVPP for crisis intervention and advocacy. Lock Haven Hospital will coordinate with other community partners and law enforcement agencies to provide prompt and appropriate medical services to victims of assault and work with the CVPP to educate students.

By the start of year two a full-time project director with education and expertise in counseling and victim advocacy will be hired to manage day-to-day project activities and provide direct counseling and advocacy services, and to identify potential future funding sources.

Alexander stressed the collaborative nature of the project. “An essential component of the grant is to develop a partnership with both members of the university and the Lock Haven community to support the Campus Violence Prevention Program (CVPP),” she said. Alexander added, “I am thrilled that the university and our local community partners have come together to support this initiative to help students and make an impact to improve the safety of both our campus and community. This partnership is a great opportunity and a testimony that exhibits the strong commitment to work together in a concerted effort.”

Alexander thanked the many people who assisted in developing the grant project. “In order for the university to receive the grant, we needed the support of various individuals and groups throughout campus. I would especially like to thank the following people who signed on to support the CVPP: Keith T. Miller, president; Linda Koch, vice president for student affairs; Roger Johnson, vice president for academic affairs (retired); Paul J. Altieri, director of university law enforcement; David L. White, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Tom C. Ormond, dean of the College of Education and Human Services; Reynol Junco, director of disability services; Jennifer M. Creamer, dean of the Institute for International Studies; Jodi Smith, director of student activities; Michael J. Heck, director of summer development and fraternity adviser; Peter Campbell, associate director of athletics; SueAnn Schatz, women's studies program; Laurie Cannady, faculty adviser Distinguished Gentlemen; and Jeffery A. Seeley, protestant campus minister, Campus Ministries. I would also like to thank the HOPE Center Committee and Lisette Schillig for helping to get the necessary signatures of support to meet DOJ guidelines.

“In order to help develop the CVPP program at LHU we also need a coordinated community response. I am thankful for the work and promised support from Cindy Love, executive director of the Clinton County Women's Center; Elwood Hocker, chief of the Lock Haven Police Department, Miles Houseknecht VAWA coordinator/county detective, Michael Salisbury Clinton County District Attorney, Carol Barner, CNO Lock Haven Hospital; and John Snyder, president of Southern Clinton County Ministerium.

“I am very appreciative of Don Woodhouse, grant acquisitions coordinator, who helped me navigate through the detailed governmental guidelines and requirements and edited the proposal.”