Published: March 13, 2008 11:26 am      

UCO partners with district attorney for prevention project

EDMOND — The University of Central Oklahoma has partnered with Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater for the Violence Prevention Project, a new, federally funded, campus-based program aimed to help UCO community members receive confidential services if victimized by relational crimes.

Prater will be part of a Community Education Response Team, which will include other key partners such as members of the Edmond and UCO police departments, members of the UCO staff and outside community partners.

“Mr. Prater will provide support, expertise and guidance about the program functions. He feels very passionate about the issue of domestic violence and we are excited about what Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office will bring to the project here at UCO,” said Kathryn Toahty, coordinator for UCO’s project.

“The program’s overall goal is to effectively minimize incidents of violent relational crimes such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence or abuse and stalking on the UCO campus. Statistics show that only 17 to 19 percent of rapes and sexual assaults are reported. Hopefully, with the Violence Prevention Project, we can allow for comfort and confidentiality in seeking out resources to aid in victims in the healing process.”

UCO’s project is part of a flagship program funded by a $1 million grant recently provided by the U.S. Department of Justice and distributed throughout five Oklahoma universities, including UCO.

The project is conducted through UCO’s Student Counseling Center and is anticipated to enhance the current security measures existing on the campus.

CERT members will assist in overseeing and providing a survivor response system, educational and awareness programs and the development and monitoring of effective campus judicial policies relating to violent crime.

The victims project will assist in training UCO staff, faculty and students on how to recognize signs of violence and how to get assistance.

The project is available to advocate for survivors in the areas of medical assistance, legal assistance, counseling on and off campus, accommodating housing needs or relocation, as well as assistance with addressing academic issues in regards to schedule change concerns.