10/18/2004

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU’S ‘BRIDGE PROJECT’ FIGHTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN RECEIVES

$266,634 GRANT FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

       SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.   The ongoing success of Slippery Rock University's "Bridge Project," designed to bridge the gap between cultural norms and the prevalence of violence against women, has received $266,634 in continuing funding from the U.S. Department of Justice.

       The two years of additional funding follows a $200,000 start-up grant presented in October of 2002 in conjunction with Butler County's Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe) to initiate the project.

       The continued funding will allow enhancement of victim services, continue prevention and education programs, and develop and strengthen security and investigation strategies in order to prevent and respond to dating violence, sexual assault and stalking crimes on campus.

       The Bridge Project, housed at SRU's Women's Center and headed by Jodi Solito, coordinator of health promotion and the SRU Women’s Center, continues its program focus on events that emphasize education on sexual and dating violence, explains Dr. Paula Olivero, interim assistant vice president for student development at the university. The project also works as a collaborative linking the university and community in continuing work in prevention areas as well as working with police and off-campus groups dealing with similar issues. 

“The initial grant allowed us to build a foundation of programs and services to address violence against women on campus. We are now able to concentrate our efforts on policy development, targeted training opportunities and service enhancement,” said Solito.

      As part of its program The Bridge Project brings education sessions to residence halls and classrooms and provides financial support for the newly initiated Man2Man program at SRU.

PN, PgN, WPN, PR