Women's Safety

Western is committed to providing a safe study and work environment for our campus community.

Since 1991, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities has provided grants to colleges and universities to support initiatives relating to the safety of women.

The Campus Safety Grant is intended to assist colleges and universities to offset the costs of campus safety initiatives that improve students’ safety. The funds may be used for awareness/education initiatives related to campus safety including sexual and gender-based violence, as well as campus services and supports such as Campus “Walk Safe” programs.

The President's Committee on the Safety of Women on Campus (PCSWC)

The following goals have been adopted by the President's Committee on the Safety of Women on Campus:

  • Monitor the current situation relative to the safety of women on campus.
  • Recommend initiatives which will have a positive impact on the safety of women on campus. These initiatives should focus not only on physical safety issues but on educational projects which address climate issues.
  • Raise awareness in the University community of safety issues specific to women.
  • Encourage and promote the efforts of other community groups in all initiatives to improve the safety of women.
  • Present the Committee's finding and recommendations to the President of the University and the University community.

Grant Program

Eligible groups on campus may apply to the PCSWC for a portion of the funds awarded to Western from the Ministry, and must be used for initiatives that continue improving the safety on campus for women students and employees through support for programs dealing with women’s safety, sexual harassment, and violence against women. This funding can continue current activities, off-shoots of these, or new initiatives that ensure that women’s safety issues continue to be addressed in the future.

Eligibility

To be considered for funding, groups must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a recognized organization/group from within Western's community
  • Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and the ability to deliver the proposal on time and on budget
  • Comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies existing at Western

What Costs are Eligible?

Eligible Expenses

Funds allocated under the WCSG may be used for the following expenditures related to sexual violence prevention as well as general campus safety programs to benefit students.

Awareness/Education, examples include:

  • Campus safety websites and resource centres including the production of flyers, videos and digital products for online distribution
  • Supplies and promotional materials for specific campus awareness campaigns and social media campaigns on safety issues such as combatting sexual violence and building consent awareness
  • Hosting or co-hosting awareness programs, safety and/or sexual violence conferences, courses and speaker honoraria.

Student Services/Supports, examples include:

  • Campus “Walk Safe” programs
  • Sexual assault prevention training, including self-defence workshops, peer support worker training and violence prevention training
  • Computer software, including safety mobile apps
  • Training for student volunteers, including welcome week safety training
  • Equipment related to making campuses safer, examples include lighting, phone systems and security cameras

Non-eligible Expenses

The WCSG cannot be used to cover expenses related to:

  • Research projects or safety audits
  • Travel or hospitality
  • Consultant fees

How Much are the Grants?

In previous years, grants have ranged from $500 to $15,000 with partial funding awarded in some instances.

Note: The President’s Committee on the Safety of Women on Campus is not responsible for any costs incurred in the preparation of the grant application or any commitments made in anticipation of official written notification from the Committee that a grant has been approved.

How to get an Application Form

You can print your own application form or you can be pick up a form in the Human Resources Communication Centre, Room 4159, Support Services Building.

Where to Send Applications

Complete the Application Form and enclose a copy of your proposal/project description and forward to:

Tammy Johnston (tammy.johnston@uwo.ca)
The President’s Committee on the Safety of Women on Campus
Room 4159, Support Services Building, Western University

If you are submitting multiple proposals, please rank them by priority so that in the event there is not enough funding for all proposals submitted, consideration can be given to those projects from your area that you consider the most critical to the safety of women on campus.

Deadline for Applications/Proposals

  • Applications and the accompanying proposals must be received at the above location by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024.
  • All proposals will be reviewed, prioritized and the final decision for awards made by PCSWC in June 2024.
  • The successful applicants will be notified by PCSWC as soon as possible after the review meeting.
  • The grant time frame will run from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Your group will be required to submit a written summary of the outcomes of the project by June 30, 2025.
  • For successful proposals all expenditures are paid by the area carrying out the project.  The PCSWC will then reimburse your accounts after receiving copies of the paid invoices.

Proposal/Project Description

Complete the application form and attach a project description. Be sure to include the following information and any other items you think would help the Committee make its decision. Applicants may be asked to make a brief presentation to the Committee.

  • How does your project fit the required elements as described under Grant Program?
  • What are your project’s objectives?
  • When will your project start? End?
  • Who will directly benefit from your project?
  • What will it cost? (Please provide a budget breakdown) Will you have any other sources of funding?

Committee Members

Questions

If you have any questions please contact Tammy Johnston at tammy.johnston@uwo.ca.

 

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