Staff Report

Dec. 11, 2000 10 PM

Troy State University has received $60,000 to help those who have been victims sexual assault and violence.

Recently, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs released a total of $300,178 in grants that will provide an extra measure of safety for students at three Alabama universities, including TSU:.

The grants will fund advocacy, counseling and prevention services designed to reduce the number of dating, domestic and sexual violence incidents on campus, while providing support to victims of violence.

In addition to the money for the Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE) Project at Troy State, grants were awarded to Project H.O.P.E. at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Sexual Assault Elimination Education (SAFE Harbor) at Auburn University. A total of $100,059 in local matches have been pledged for the three programs.

"It is essential that the educational experiences of our university students not be overshadowed by the dark clouds of violence," Siegelman said. "These programs not only provide compassionate, professional support for victims of domestic, dating or sexual violence, but also make our college campuses safer by preventing violence."

Troy State’s SAVE Project received a grant to continue its victim advocacy program for students who are victims of violence. In addition, the grant will make is possible educational and training programs for university personnel, local law enforcement officials, students and community members focusing on the issues of rape, sexual assault, coercion and domestic/dating violence.

The SAVE Project provides counseling for students, faculty and staff members at TSU who have been victims of crime and also works to promote crime prevention.

"Although we are working with tight budgets, this project deserved funding," said State Rep. Alan Boothe, D-Troy. "As a career law enforcement officer, I appreciate the good work Fran Scheel is doing with the SAVE Project."

Funding for the grants is made available to the state through the U.S. Department of Justice and is administered through ADECA.