Pennsylvania colleges receive funds to fight sexual assault

Almost $1 million was given to Pennsylvania colleges to help end sexual assault on campuses, including ones in Westmoreland County and Western Pennsylvania.

Originally started by President Obama as a national movement, “It’s On Us PA,” headed by Gov. Tom Wolf, has donated almost $3 million in grants to colleges over the past three years.

Now, Seton Hill and Saint Vincent College are among 38 schools to receive funds.

“The grant funding will allow us to expand on our Setonians Say No More program and strengthen our current training and campus awareness initiatives as part of our longstanding partnership with the Blackburn Center,” Seton Hill President Mary C. Finger said in a statement.

The college will use the nearly $19,000 it received to build an awareness plan and training program. This fall, the Greensburg school will host Don McPherson, a former NFL quarterback and advocate for the prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Money will also go toward the Setonians Say No More campaign, a student internship program that provides peer support.

Last year, Seton Hill received more than $17,000 that went toward creating an awareness workshop, along with posters and videos on sexual violence.

Saint Vincent College was awarded $30,000 to improve its Healthy Relationships program, which works to create an environment free from gender and sexual-based harassment, partner violence, stalking, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and retaliation.

The school was awarded $15,000 last year, which went toward a presentation, enhancing training for faculty and staff and printing a resource guide given to students and faculty.

Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Robert Morris University, Slippery Rock University and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford all received funds from the grant.

Launched in September 2014, almost 300,000 people have taken the “It’s On Us” national pledge.

“We must never tolerate sexual assault on our campuses or a culture that allows it,” Wolf said in a statement. “Over the past three years, my administration has worked with students, schools, and communities to build programs to stop sexual assaults. These grants will help schools across the state to make campuses safer, and help stop sexual harassment and assault.”

Megan Tomasic is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1203, mtomasic@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MeganTomasic..