Senators to join advocates, survivors to raise awareness of campus sexual assault

On Wednesday, September 21 at 4:30 PM, a bipartisan group of senators will join survivors and advocates from F2F (Fear 2 Freedom) and RAINN (the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) to draw attention to the continued epidemic of sexual assault on our college campuses.

F2F is a global non-profit organization founded in 2011 by Rosemary Trible, wife of former U.S. Senator Paul Trible (R-VA). Mrs. Trible is a sexual assault survivor and an advocate for bringing empowerment, hope and healing to other survivors of sexual violence. After Mrs. Trible was assaulted, she learned firsthand that when a victim receives a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) exam, all of their clothing is kept for evidence. Accordingly, they often leave treatment in disposable, hospital-issued clothing. F2F partners with universities, hospitals, and community organizations to provide Aftercare Kits to survivors of sexual assault. Each Aftercare Kit contains clothing, toiletries, a pen and journal for adults and a toy for children, a list of resources, a stuffed animal that serves as a counseling tool, and a handwritten note of encouragement. To date, F2F has provided over 13,000 F2F Kits to sexual assault survivors.

At the Wednesday event, following a brief speaking program, Senators will participate in a demonstration assembly of Aftercare Kits that will be donated to two local crisis centers for people seeking a PERK exam, and attendees will be invited to pen a note to include in preassembled Aftercare Kits.

Last year, Sen. Warner and a bipartisan coalition of Senators reintroduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (S.590), which would reform the way colleges and universities address and report incidents of sexual assault on their campuses in order to improve accountability and protect and empower students, while also protecting the rights of the accused.