Sexual assault is a longtime occurrence on college and university campuses. A survey of 440 colleges showed that many schools ignore provisions of Title IX, which requires schools to prevent and investigate sexual assaults, and the 1990 Clery Act, which orders colleges to report violent incidents to authorities. Up to 90% of college campus rapes occur through date rape incidents. Recent estimates have put the occurrence of rape, or attempted rape, at about one of every four women during their college career. This estimate corroborates a recent finding that 19% of all American women have been raped during their lifetimes. Advocates claim campus rape is so prevalent that schools which do not report this problem are likely avoiding efforts to address it. They say schools, fearing negative publicity, are not proactive in investigating or prosecuting those responsible for these violent crimes.

Only about 12% of all campus rapes are reported to authorities and only 1% of all assailants are ever disciplined by the school. But some schools assign a confidential adviser to each victim, who explains the reporting process while ensuring services are made available for her. This approach has helped increase the number of victims who decide to report their abuse to the police. Advocates say colleges need to provide safe and supportive environments where students feel comfortable reporting these crimes.

Pending Legislation: S.2990 - Campus Accountability and Safety Act
Sponsor: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
Status: House Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Chair: Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA)

• I oppose reforming current campus rape policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader John Thune (SD).
• I support combating sexual assault on U.S. college campuses by improving reporting, supporting survivors, and ensuring fair disciplinary processes, mandating more transparency, creating confidential advisors, and providing better resources for victims by:
  
  1.) Mandating universities to publicly share campus safety policies, crime statistics, and complaint instructions, enhancing the Clery Act.
  
  2.) Requiring schools to appoint trained, confidential advisors (like sexual and interpersonal violence specialists) to help victims understand rights, get accommodations, and navigate reporting
  
  3.) Establishing uniform, fair procedures for handling sexual misconduct cases, protecting good-faith reporters from being punished for related alcohol/drug use.
  
  4.) Expanding federal grants (under the Violence Against Women Act) to address sexual harassment, not just assault.
  
  5.) Holding institutions accountable for addressing sexual violence effectively and proactively.
  
  And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA) or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.