UC Merced wins safety grant

A recent grant from the U.S. Justice Department will enable the University of California at Merced Police Department to launch programs aimed at fostering a safe campus environment.

The three-year, $299,756 grant provides funding for the department to create and strengthen preventive, healing and criminal justice procedures that address violence against women.

The grant will fund programs that allow survivors to report and seek services related to current or past sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. The most recent campus crime statistics show that one sexual assault took place on campus in 2008, according to a university statement.

The program will fulfill grant requirements that include prevention and education programs targeted at dating and domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

In addition to preventive programs, such as self-defense classes, the program will address issues related to bystander behavior and peer response.