The following offers guidance and resources on the Rutgers University path toward addressing and ultimately ending, interpersonal violence. As part of the Enhancing Victim Services Project, the Center for Research on Ending Violence works closely with campus partners to create a series of Technical Assistance Documents covering best practices, the latest in research and innovative programs and other topics. The project is supported by a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant administered through the NJ Attorney General's Office, and has been funded since 2017 and continues through August 2025.
During the 2017-18 academic year a federal Victims of Crime Act grant was awarded to Rutgers University through the NJ Office of the Attorney General to increase support for victims/survivors of sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus. The “Enhancing Victim Services throughout Rutgers University” project is housed at the Center for Research on Ending Violence (REV) where Dr. Sarah McMahon, serves as the principal investigator for the grant.
One such objective being, the sustained efforts of the VPVA offices on each campus in addition to targeted outreach to specific populations. The grant will also focus on connected with faculty and stuff to ensure their awareness of resources as well. The grant has allowed campuses to expand outreach to victims of other types of crime on campus. The grant is working to incorporate an intersectional, anti-racist lens with an expanded focus of this work.
The REV Center continues to develop university-wide messaging through various collaborations such as participation in National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, creating various PSA's, and working toward a centralized website highlighting the resources that exist on campus for victim/survivors. The Center for Research on Ending Violence is providing technical assistance to each of the campuses.
See our YouTube channel for all our related videos such as Rutgers University Sexual Violence Public Service Announcement 2018, RU School of Social Work Graduate Student Public Service Announcement, Supporting Survivors of Interpersonal Violence.
We were pleased to have an incredible turnout at the conference with partners from within Rutgers, other institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations and service providers, state officials, and secondary schools. The conference provided space for an important exchange of ideas and resources, as well as developing paths for collaboration.
The Rutgers University Model for Addressing and Preventing Sexual Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Harassment and Stalking on Campus is based on implementing best practices and evidence-informed methods of service provision and prevention programming including bystander intervention training for faculty and staff. If you wish to schedule a workshop and/or discuss a tailored module for your staff, please email Simone Snyder at sms694@ssw.rutgers.edu.
If you have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking, it is natural to feel overwhelmed or have concerns. There are options available for you to get through this moment. We believe that it is important for you to make the decision that is right for you.
You have an option to speak to resources that are confidential or non-confidential. Confidential sources, like VPVA and health services, are not required to report the information that you share. Non-confidential sources, however, such as faculty and Title IX Coordinators, must report these incidents. For more information on confidentiality and privacy, visit Title IX.
The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance is committed to creating a community free from violence. The Offices on each campus provide services designed to raise awareness of and respond to the impact of interpersonal violence and other crimes. Through a combination of direct service, education, training, policy development, and consulting to the University and broader community, the offices serve as a critical voice in changing prevailing beliefs and attitudes about violence.
The Offices for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA) are partially funded by the Enhancing Victim Services Grant through the Attorney General's Office (AG-VOCA).
Health services on campus can provide medical attention that includes testing for STIs or pregnancy, assessing the need for preventative medication, and examination for any injuries or trauma.
If you are interested in evidence collection from an examination, the local hospital has forensic nurse examiners that can preserve evidence in case you may be interested in reporting the incident.
Health services on campus can provide medical attention that includes testing for STIs or pregnancy, assessing the need for preventative medication, and examination for any injuries or trauma.
If you are interested in evidence collection from an examination, the local hospital has forensic nurse examiners that can preserve evidence in case you may be interested in reporting the incident.
Students have the option to access services on campus but can make the decision to seek assistance in the community outside of Rutgers University. In each county in New Jersey, there are sexual violence programs and domestic violence programs that offer an array of services. These services can include a 24-hour hotline, counseling, referrals, and accompaniments to legal proceedings. For statewide information, visit the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault or the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence.
There are ways that the university can assist you in providing additional support or protection following an incident. Both Title IX and VPVA can discuss accommodations that are necessary to increase your sense of well-being. Some examples of these measures include security escort, changes in on-campus work or class schedules, assignment extensions, transportation, and emergency housing.
Connecting to these resources on your campus:
VPVA
Blumenthal Hall, Room 105
973 353-1918
Title IX
Paul Robeson Campus Center, Room 316A
973-353-5063
Health Services
973-353-5232
RUPD
Dial 911 for emergency or call 973-353-5111
Local DV/SV Programs
Sexual Violence: SAVE of Essex County
1-877-733-2273
Domestic Violence: Rachel Coalition | Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey
973-740-1233
VPVA
3 Bartlett Street, College Ave Campus
848-932-1181
Title IX
Student Affairs Compliance & Title IX
2 Richardson Street, New Brunswick
848-932-8200
Health Services
848-932-7402
RUPD
Dial 911 for emergency or call 732-932-7211
Local DV/SV Programs
Sexual Violence: Center for Empowerment
(732) 321-1189
Domestic Violence: Women Aware
732-249-4504
856-225-6005
RUPD
Dial 911 for emergency or call 856-225-6111
Local DV/SV Programs
Sexual Violence: SERV
1-866-295-SERV (7378)
Domestic Violence: Camden County Domestic Violence Center
856-227-1234
Services scheduled based on your location
973-972-4636
The following have been produced through the work of the Enhancing Victim Services Project and are intended for wide use.
An integral part of The Enhancing Victim Services throughout Rutgers University Project is providing support and resources to our campus partners in order to help build upon and improve services, programs, policies and initiatives.
All resources can be found on our Campus Interpersonal Violence Technical Assistance learning deck.
The purpose of this toolkit is to provide a summary of evidence-based literature related to developing a victim services office. Topics examined include crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, prevention and education, as well as partnerships and collaboration.
This guide acts as a starting point for staff recruitment and best practice for victim service agencies, specifically on campus.
This toolkit outlines the key areas of the Trauma Informed Approach. It also includes questions to help guide implementation.
This guide was created in order to support direct service providers and practitioners working with survivors of violence and abuse in the context of support group programs on campus.
This toolkit aims to provide basic information on how to practice self-care in and outside of the office. It provides practical guidance on how to implement self-care efforts and utilize resources that can be shared to support staff members’ individual needs.
This chart defines the many different terms that are used to describe levels of evidence, included are those terms that can best help move campus prevention initiatives forward.
This document provides suggestions on how to evaluate “passive programming” or “unstructured programming”. This is programming designed to raise awareness that may not fit neatly into trainings, facilitated conversations, or presentations. Passive programming includes unstructured activities such as interactive or visual displays, messaging campaigns, tabling events with brochures and information, or longer events with different programs that participants can freely flow in and out of.
The Victim of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) is responsible for compensating victims of crime and is supported by the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General. Do you know how to access these benefits, do you have questions? Then this guide is for you!