U.S. Department of Justice grant to help create victim service center at Texas State

Texas State University has received a grant of nearly $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women for the creation of victim services.

Paulina Flasch and Maria Haiyasoso, assistant professors in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology's professional counseling program, will oversee the Bobcats Response, Education, Awareness, Care and Healing (REACH) Project.

"Domestic violence tears at the very fabric of our society and we must redouble our efforts to root it out wherever we find it," said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who announced the grant on social media. "I applaud this announcement and will continue to do everything I can to keep students at Texas State University safe."

The REACH Project will comprise five main components: victim services and trauma-informed counseling; coordinated campus and community response; engaging on and off campus entities to support student victims; education and training for the campus community; and prevention and awareness efforts.

The REACH Project will partner with an extensive array of entities at Texas State and in the surrounding community, including the San Marcos Police Department, Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, Hays County District Attorney’s Office, Texas State Professional Counseling Program, University Police Department, College of Education, Title IX Office, Clery Act and Campus Security, Student Affairs Division, Dean of Students Office, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Student Emergency Services, Attorney for Students Office, Student Health Center, Health Promotion Services, Housing and Residential Life and the Texas State Counseling Center.

The collaborative efforts will enhance safety for students and enable responses in a coordinated and trauma-informed manner on campus when students experience domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking.