It’s On Us Campaign Supports Widener Anti-Sexual Violence Education Program
The Widener Anti-Sexual Violence Education program, known as WAVE, was recently awarded funding through the Pennsylvania It’s On Us campaign.
The grant of nearly $40,000 is part of a $1.7 million statewide package intended to combat sexual assault through education and awareness, and help empower survivors.
“The It’s On Us PA campaign challenges all of us to confront the problem of sexual violence directly through awareness, prevention and support services for survivors. These efforts make a real difference in the lives of young people,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Carrie Rowe.
It's On Us PA brings together college and university presidents, superintendents, administrators, teachers, students, families and community members to reframe the conversation around sexual violence and pledge to be part of the solution.
At Widener, this is the second consecutive year of receiving It’s On Us PA funding for comprehensive sexual violence prevention programming. Thanks to previous funding, WAVE implemented 128 interactive prevention workshops for more than 3300 participants in 2025, in addition to trainings for all incoming students. The new grant will allow Widener to refine first-year training experiences and provide more prevention education throughout the year.
Earlier funding also supported workshops geared toward the LGBTQ+ community and a new, monthly support space for survivors and their loved ones led by the Delaware County Victim Assistance Center. It provided materials for 16 tabling events and targeted programming around Valentine’s Day, sexual assault awareness month, stalking awareness month and domestic violence awareness month, including a game dedication in partnership with the Pride football team. The new funding will allow Widener to expand and diversify these events and partnerships, including with guest speakers.
In addition, the funding will support a partnership between WAVE and the Office of Student Inclusion and Belonging, to offer tailored prevention workshops in partnership with multicultural and LGBTQ+ student groups.
“We are grateful to the commonwealth for its support and encouragement of the important and innovative work we’re doing at Widener,” said Jamie O’Leary, associate director of violence prevention education.