State grants available to address sexual assault on college campuses

(Harrisburg) — The Wolf Administration has announced one million dollars in grant money is available for colleges and universities in the state to help address campus sexual assault. 

Governor Tom Wolf announced in January that Pennsylvania would be the first state to join President Barack Obama’s “It’s On Us” campaign against campus sexual assault.

Andrea Mead, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, says sexual violence affects an estimated one in five women and one in 20 men during their time on campus.

“Despite increased scrutiny and programming and institutional reporting requirements, sexual assault continues to be probably the most prevalent and the most under-reported crime in our colleges and universities,” Mead said.

Mead added, the grants of up to 30-thousand dollars each will be used to increase awareness of the issue as well as reduce obstacles to resources for survivors and demonstrate leadership to change attitudes on campus about sexual assault.