Seton Hill University has been awarded funding through the 2017-2018 Governor’s It’s on Us PA Grant Program, Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced earlier today.

Seton Hill will receive a $17,289 grant to support its efforts to prevent, address and effectively respond to campus sexual assault through the grant program.

“Seton Hill University takes a campus-wide approach in dealing with issues of sexual and gender-based violence," said Seton Hill President Mary C. Finger, Ed.D. "We provide training in bystander intervention, so that students know what to do if they witness or learn about abuse; faculty development opportunities to integrate gender-based violence prevention into coursework are offered; and we have developed specific strategies to engage men, including our athletes, in prevention. The Governor's It's on Us PA Grant will allow Seton Hill to affirm and expand its efforts in this important area."

The Governor’s It’s on Us PA Grant will enable Seton Hill to create an institutional awareness plan and a robust training program to increase knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures, response plan and reporting processes to support students who are victimized and assist those who are reluctant to report.

The Blackburn Center will develop a campus-wide workshop and follow-up sessions for Seton Hill administrators, faculty, and staff, including campus police and disciplinary board members that will provide information and guidance on the appropriate response to gender-based violence.

In addition, Seton Hill student-created posters and videos on sexual violence will be posted throughout campus and on the web as a way to emphasize Seton Hill’s commitment to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence. Promotional materials echoing the “Setonians Say No More” messages will be distributed during Orientation Weekend and other student trainings to provide constant reminders of resources available to victims of gender-based violence.

Sexual violence affects an estimated one in five college women and one in 20 college men. Sexual assault affects the health and well-being of survivors, and can also derail a student’s educational success. Recognizing that this violence and the unconscionable cost it poses to individual survivors and communities is unacceptable, Governor Tom Wolf launched the “It’s On Us PA” campaign on January 29, 2016, inviting education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to play a role in ending sexual violence.

The Governor’s It’s On Us PA Grant Program aims to support postsecondary institutions’ efforts to create campus environments in which all community members are informed, active bystanders working together to end sexual violence, and where survivors are able to access the rights, resources, and accommodations afforded to them through state and federal law.