Only recently have data been collected about the incidence of violence and crime on college campuses. Little information is available about the effectiveness of violence prevention programs on college campuses. The results of these validated projects may be used by the Secretary of Education to identify and disseminate to IHEs successful programs that prevent violent behavior and illegal use of alcohol and other drugs by college students. Applicants should be prepared to provide statistics and information on crimes occurring on campus, especially liquor law violations, drug abuse violations, and weapons possession, as required under current law. Under previously funded priorities under this program, Federal funds have supported the development and implementation of a wide range of prevention activities.
Research also shows that there is a correlation between heavy alcohol consumption and violence.
Binge drinkers were more likely than their non-binging counterparts to encounter actual physical violence, experience forced sexual touching, and endure unwanted sexual intercourse. IHEs need to reassess the alcohol, other drug, and violence prevention programs they are currently conducting and modify or replace programs that fail to show a measurable impact on reducing alcohol, other drug use, and violence with programs that are effective or promising. Applicants should show the ability to start their campus-community program soon after receiving federal funding in order to maximize the time available to show impact within the grant period of two years. Projects supported through this competition should be designed to demonstrate and document significant reductions in alcohol and other drug use and violence at colleges and universities over the grant period. Because of the need for a sound evaluation plan, applicants are advised to obtain outside expert consultation prior to submitting applications.