Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the University of South Carolina will receive a $297,154 grant to combat violence against women. The funds will be used to strengthen the University’s relationship violence and sexual assault program through collaboration with on-campus offices and local community agencies. The program will focus on five major objectives: Maintain and strengthen direct services for survivors, including maintenance of alternative housing space; Strengthen collaboration with off-campus law enforcement; Provide high quality response training sessions to law enforcement, campus judicial council members, medical staff and residential housing staff; Strengthen the mandatory prevention education program for first year students through the integration of technology into the workshop curriculum; and, Strengthen collaborative campus programming for the campus-wide awareness campaigns and targeted educational initiatives. “Violence against women and sexual assault on campuses is a serious issue,” said Graham, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Crime, Corrections, and Victims’ Rights. “These crimes are often unreported, so it is vital we create an environment that encourages victims to come forward, provides the necessary support structure for victims, and educates the campus community about these crimes.” The Office for Sexual Health & Violence Prevention will assume primary responsibility for the implementation of this grant. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####