Senate bill addresses underreporting of sexual violence on college campuses

Sexual violence and harassment on college campuses is heavily underreported, according to victims’ advocates, in large part due to shortcomings in existing reporting structures.

After a change to Title IX under the Trump administration, many universities experienced a drastic decrease in the number of sexual assaults being reported. The Association of Title IX Administrators estimates that upwards of 90 percent of sexual misconduct cases are handled “informally” and without formal protections and guidance for student victims.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has reintroduced legislation to support survivors of sexual assault on college campuses.

Kaine’s Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or S.O.S. Campus Act, would require that every college and university that receives federal funding have an independent advocate dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention and response.

“Students deserve to live and learn in healthy, safe environments. We must do everything we can to prevent sexual assault on college campuses and provide support to survivors,” Kaine said. “This bill is critical to ensuring that students who bravely speak out are connected with the medical treatment, counseling, and relevant legal information that they need.”

The S.O.S. Campus Act would require campuses to have an independent advocate to conduct public information campaigns on sexual assault prevention and ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to:

• Emergency and follow-up medical care,
• Guidance on reporting assaults to law enforcement,
• Medical forensic or evidentiary exams,
• Crisis intervention, ongoing counseling, and assistance throughout the process, and
• Information on their legal rights.

Local rape crisis centers and other community-based organizations are currently providing many of these services in communities and on campuses around the nation.

The legislation from Kaine recognizes the importance of these partnerships by requiring that universities either consult with or partner with these organizations to ensure that survivors can access the services they need.