Winston-Salem State University has been awarded a substantial grant of $499,976 by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women, which will fund a new initiative designed to foster a safer and more supportive environment while addressing domestic violence and related issues in the community. The program, named RamsSafe—short for Rams Stop Abuse for Everyone—aims to tackle stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault through culturally sensitive strategies.
RamsSafe will facilitate collaboration among students, faculty, university administrators, and local community partners to create effective prevention and intervention methods against violence targeting women. Key community collaborators include the Winston-Salem Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and Family Services of Forsyth County, which will contribute guidance and input on both program oversight and content development.
Additionally, multiple offices within WSSU—including counseling services, Title IX, housing and residential life, and campus police—will work together to ensure that the program effectively reaches its intended audience. The initiative falls under the health and well-being sector of the Student Affairs Division.
Leading the Initiative
Candice Jackson, assistant vice chancellor of student affairs for health and well-being, is leading the charge. Jackson will oversee the program’s development along with a newly appointed program coordinator specializing in advocacy and assessment. She expressed enthusiasm about creating educational materials such as workshops, videos, and awareness campaigns to empower students and promote safety.
“The primary inspiration stemmed from our commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our students,” Jackson stated. “We recognize it is our collective community’s responsibility to help students be safe from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We saw an opportunity to provide our campus community with resources and upstander intervention training.”
Jackson further emphasized the importance of trauma-informed education and holistic support systems for students experiencing domestic violence and other forms of abuse. “I firmly believe that the Department of Justice’s investment in Winston-Salem State University will help us build and expand on the work we are doing to enhance trauma-informed education and our holistic care for our students navigating domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault,” she added.
