BGSU receives grant for campus sexual assault victims’ services

BGSU will receive more than $82,000 from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to assist victims of sexual assault on campus.

The University will use these funds to contract with The Cocoon, a Wood County shelter providing support to battered women and their children, to pay for a full-time victim advocate to serve BGSU students, staff and faculty of all genders who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence or stalking. The advocate will help victims find resources, understand legal options and campus procedures, and navigate the criminal justice system.

The University had a full-time advocate from 2000-05, but that federal funding lapsed. Dr. Mary Krueger, director of the Women's Center, has been working ever since to find a way to bring an advocate back to campus.

“I am so pleased to return these important services to BGSU, and grateful to The Cocoon for their willingness to partner with us on this initiative,” said Krueger.  “Colleagues across campus divisions and constituencies have been unequivocally supportive as well, which is particularly gratifying. I am inspired to be a part of BGSU’s commitment to ensuring that our campus is a safe place for everyone to learn and work.”

The funds are part of $3 million in federal Victims of Crime Act funding set aside by Attorney General Mike DeWine earlier this year to enable colleges and universities to better serve sexual assault victims by providing additional programs, promoting education and awareness, and creating partnerships with community-based victim service agencies.