Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates needs a little help.

The organization is applying for a $300,000 grant through the Department of Justice.

Its current $200,000 federal grant expires at the end of February.

“This seems like a lot of money, but it’s not when you divide it up with everything we service and pay for,” said Stephen Thompson, SAPA adviser.

SAPA’s current grant was used to bring speakers to CMU and support the sexual assault program.

Without a grant, SAPA will not be able to offer joint support with nurse examiners from Women’s Aid Service. The service supplies free rape exams to victims.

“Students may have to go back to the old way by going to the hospital and paying themselves,” Thompson said.

Exams range from $1,000 to $1,800. SAPA pays $18,000 to $20,000 for the exams and already has offered more than 30 exams.

Profits from last weekend’s production of “The Vagina Monologues” also were donated to SAPA.

Although the $800,000 grant application is due in March, it won’t be decided upon until October, Thompson said.

The $200,000 grant was SAPA’s first time receiving a federal grant. If it acquires this latest one, it will be accumulated over three years.

Sexual Aggression Department Counselor Susanne Stefanski said SAPA initially was turned down for the first grant, possibly because it was around prior to receiving the grant.

“Renewable funding isn’t commonly given,” she said. “The grant is there to help start (the) organization.”

SAPA will still continue to receive funding through CMU, which allocates $6,000 per year to cover the phone lines the group uses.

Thompson also is seeking financial support from Sprint to sponsor the phone lines for SAPA so the money can be used for different services.

Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe said if SAPA does not receive the grant, the organization will remain at CMU, though not as prominent.

“I suspect that Thompson and people associated with SAPA will double their efforts to do anything necessary to ensure students will still receive support,” Roscoe said.

Stick up

SAPA also is waiting for approval from the university to place stickers in residence halls and women’s bathrooms across campus.

The stickers state the number and Web site where survivors can reach a SAPA member.

Stefanski said women between 16 and 24 have the greatest risk of being sexually assaulted.

“This is a huge issue and students need to realize that it happens in Mount Pleasant,” she said.

CMU is fortunate to have a service of that caliber, she said.

Thompson said he is not worried about what will happen if SAPA is denied the grant.

“SAPA has been here before the grant was,” he said.

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