Bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) would take steps to reduce sexual assault on campuses by empowering students and enhancing accountability for colleges and universities.
Under the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, institutions would face penalties for failure to comply with its standards for training, data collection and best practices, according to a press release.
“My oldest daughter will begin her junior year of college in a little over a month and I, like any other parent, want to make sure I do everything I can to ensure she’s safe,” Noem said. “This legislation empowers our students, strengthens accountability measures, and takes steps toward ending this horrible crime. Our students just shouldn’t have to worry about becoming a victim at school.”
The bill would require colleges to appoint confidential advisors to coordinate support services for sexual assault victims and offer information about reporting the crime to law enforcement. Minimum training would also be required so that all on-campus staff would understand the nature of sexual assault and its impact on survivors.
Under the bill, colleges would be required to follow a uniform process for campus disciplinary proceedings, and subgroups would no longer be allowed to handle sexual violence complaints.
Schools that fail to comply with the requirements could face a penalty of up to one percent of the school’s operating budget.