Casey Introduces Bill to Combat Sexual Violence on College Campuses
Friday, January 25, 2013
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation to combat the problem of sexual violence on college campuses. The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE Act) will close a serious gap in the law by requiring colleges and universities to clearly articulate policies regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
“Sexual violence is a tragic and harsh reality on college campuses throughout the country,” said Senator Casey. “We must ensure that when we send our sons and daughters off to colleges and universities, we are providing every means necessary for them to learn in a safe environment.”
Sexual violence and violence in dating relationships are a serious problem on college campuses across the country. More than one in five female undergraduates will be victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault during their time on a campus; only a fraction of incidents are reported and many victims go without adequate institutional support. The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act will close a serious gap in the law by requiring colleges and universities to clearly spell out their policies regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and will increase awareness and prevention of these acts by requiring transparency of information, prevention programs and assistance for victims.
The Campus SaVE Act updates the Clery Act, the landmark federal law (originally known as the Campus Security Act) that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.
The Campus SaVE Act has been endorsed by the following organizations:
- American Association of University Women (AAUW)
- Asian Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
- Clery Center for Security on Campus
- Break the Cycle
- Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network
- Feminist Majority
- Futures Without Violence (formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund)
- General Federation of Women’s Clubs
- Jewish Women International
- Legal Momentum
- Men Can Stop Rape
- National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
- National Center for Victims of Crime
- National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
- National Council of Jewish Women
- National Dating Abuse Helpline
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
- National Legal Aid & Defender Association
- National Network to End Domestic Violence
- National Organization for Women
- National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
- The One Love Foundation
- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
- Women’s Law Project
- VTV Family Outreach Foundation
- Women of Color Network
- YWCA USA
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