PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 18, 2025) — Temilola Salami, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Psychology at Prairie View A&M University, has secured two significant grants from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), totaling nearly $700,000. These awards aim to address critical issues related to violence against women and human trafficking through targeted research, training, and intervention programs

The first grant, a $500,000 award from the DOJ-Office of Violence Against Women, will support PVAMU’s efforts to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus. This initiative, specifically designed for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities, will enable PVAMU to develop culturally specific strategies that support African American students.

Temilola Salami, Ph.D.

Salami, along with co-principal investigators Ayodeji Iyanda, Ph.D., Anne Lippert, Ph.D., and Rahsheda Perine, Ph.D., will lead the university’s collaboration with campus partners to create tailored prevention and response programs. These efforts include specialized training, enhanced partnerships, and a dedicated action plan to establish a safer and more supportive campus environment.

The second grant, exceeding $185,000, comes from the Texas Office of the Governor-Criminal Justice Division, in partnership with the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women. This funding will be used to update and adapt the Human Trafficking 101 training for law enforcement officers, incorporating insights from survivor advocates, subject matter experts, and criminal justice officials.

Through this initiative, law enforcement agencies will receive in-person or online training designed to enhance their ability to identify, support, and protect trafficking survivors. The program, facilitated by the PATH Collaborative, will also improve coordination between law enforcement and healthcare providers. Agencies will work to refine response protocols, with ongoing biweekly meetings ensuring progress and accountability. Officers completing the training will be eligible for Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) credits, further strengthening their professional development in handling trafficking cases.

Together, these grants mark a significant step forward in PVAMU’s commitment to addressing violence and exploitation through research-driven solutions. By fostering safer campuses and more informed law enforcement practices, Salami and her team are advancing meaningful change in both educational and criminal justice systems.

By Joe McGinty