2-13-2007

Mineola, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced today that his Task Force on Family Violence is a partner in the Comprehensive Campus Violence Prevention Project, which received $199,871 from the Department of Justice to help improve the policies, programs and services related to violence against women on college campuses. The program will be based at SUNY College at Old Westbury and designed in collaboration with Nassau County’s Police Department, the Office of the District Attorney and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence to develop a comprehensive response to this issue through education and prevention programs.

"The Task Force on Family Violence is thankful to SUNY College at Old Westbury for their support in attaining these funds, said the County Executive.” “This is a perfect example of how government and higher education can work together to provide a comprehensive effort to best address the needs of their communities.”

The County Executive’s Task Force on Family Violence is one partner in this collaborative that also includes Nassau County’s Police Department, Office of the District Attorney, Coalition Against Domestic Violence and SUNY College at Old Westbury. The program is designed to enhance victim services, implement prevention and education programs and develop and strengthen security and investigation strategies in an effort to prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking crimes on campus.

“This grant is a tribute to the many dedicated students and staff who have worked over the past few years to raise awareness and enhance our response to violence in our community,” said College President Calvin O. Butts, III. “While the reporting of instances of violence against women at Old Westbury is minimal, our goal is to educate all on campus and in our community to create an atmosphere where instances of violence remain limited and, when they do occur, are reported and handled appropriately."

SUNY College Old Westbury will receive $133,311 for equipment and the provision of services in the administration of this grant as well as a salary for a part-time coordinator. The Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence will receive $64,488 to provide training programs for faculty and staff and well as produce handouts and provide a hotline for victims and the Nassau County Police Department will receive $2,072, which will cover the overtime expenses associated with conducting a two-day workshop on how to effectively respond to violence against women on campus. The County Executive’s Task Force on Family Violence and the Office of the District Attorney will both contribute through in-kind services.

This grant will be used to address myriad issues related to crimes against women on campus, including the development of educational programs for the campus and local community, as well as training for faculty, students, campus and local police and the University Judicial Board on how to best recognize, address and adjudicate crimes on campus.

This grant was awarded by the Department of Justice - Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The OVW provides federal leadership to reduce violence against women and to administer justice for and strengthen services to all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This is accomplished by developing and supporting the capacity of state, local, tribal, and non-profit entities involved in responding to violence against women.

Suozzi Announces Nassau County as Partner in $200,000 Justice Department Grant to Help Fight Violence on Campus