Bizzarro: $40K awarded to Gannon University to combat sexual assault

Part of statewide It’s On Us PA initiative

ERIE, Jan. 22 – Gannon University will receive $40,0000 in state funding to help combat sexual assault, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) announced Monday.

The grant was awarded through It’s On Us PA, a campaign aimed at cutting down on sexual violence on college campuses, increasing awareness of sexual assault and making college campuses safer. This program builds off the national It’s On Us program created by the Obama Administration.

“Students attend college to pursue higher education and explore their opportunities. The last thing they should be worried about is if they are safe from sexual abuse on campus,” said Bizzarro. “This is a terrific grant program and I’m thrilled to see Gannon University taking advantage of it. It’s on all of us to help stop sexual assault.”

This grant will provide funding through May 2025 to help implement strategies on campus to address goals of the It’s On Us PA campaign, including improving prevention, reporting, and response systems regarding sexual violence incidents on college campuses and removing barriers that prevent survivors from reporting incidents to school officials.

This round of funding through It’s On Us PA awarded a total of $1.4 million to 37 higher education institutions and postsecondary schools in Pennsylvania.