Stand up, speak out: UM-Dearborn receives grant to support campus sexual assault prevention

The funding comes from Michigan’s new Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program, a program Snyder announced earlier this year following the state’s first campus sexual assault prevention summit. UM-Dearborn was one of 22 institutions to receive funding totaling $500,000.

Monica Porter, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life, said UM-Dearborn is working on a proactive approach that addresses the unique challenges a predominantly commuter-based university with privately owned student housing faces.

“University of Michigan-Dearborn takes pride in its commitment to ending violence of all forms against women and is recognized as one of the state’s safest universities,” said Monica Porter, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life. “We are working to maintain our safe campus environment by proactively implementing processes and procedures to ensure the safety of all.”

The campaign will begin on campus next semester and include:

• A new standing committee for sexual assault awareness and research established by the UM-Dearborn Student Government Association. The committee will host a series of events, trainings and town hall meetings this winter to further educate students and will support local sexual assault resource centers with on-campus donation drives and a fundraising 5k race.
• A peer education training program for students, faculty and staff aimed to reduce power-based personal violence.
• A university-wide awareness campaign targeted to bring attention to issues of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. The Women’s Resource Center and Women’s and Gender Studies program will launch the campaign, which will include a speaker series and information about resources available to students.

In addition to the programs supported by the grant, UM-Dearborn will fund a campus climate survey on sexual assault and sexual misconduct. Campus administrators plan to use survey results to inform policies that help prevent and respond to sexual assault and misconduct.