The University of Findlay Takes Proactive Lead in Preventing Violence Against Women; Receives $275,000 Grant

The University of Findlay recently was awarded a three-year, $275,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.
Campus safety is a top priority for UF administrators, and the newly funded Findlay Action Through Coordination, Education and Training (FACETS) project takes a proactive approach to reducing sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking (SADVDVS) on campus.
“This grant will allow The University of Findlay to address important issues and to develop a comprehensive approach that will benefit UF students, faculty, staff and the community,” said David Emsweller, vice president for student affairs.
FACETS was created to address a series of issues commonly related to SADVDVS on college campuses. The grant program will enable UF address those issues by funding activities to reduce barriers to reporting incidents of SADVDVS by streamlining procedures and improving awareness and education of the issue across campus.
While services are available in the local area, this grant will enable UF to centralize services for victims on campus, increase awareness of those services and improve partnerships with local advocacy groups. Finally, the grant will provide funding for campus offices and community organizations to improve services and response to incidents of SADVDVS.
Because the University works very closely with local law enforcement, this project not only will benefit campus but also will benefit the community by having better trained personnel and more available local services for crime victims.
The FACETS project coordinator is Matt Bruskotter, assistant dean for environmental, safety, security and emergency management. Other key staff members include Karyn Westrick, director of counseling services; Ken Walerius, director of UF security; Brian Treece, assistant dean of students; and Julie Yingling, director of health services.
The campus group will work with a Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT), which includes key members of the Hancock County Domestic Violence Task Force.