Introduction
Sexual assaults on college campuses imperils the peace, safety, and dignity of college students and brings forward the constant fear of becoming a victim of assault because of this nefarious crime. I propose four regulations to decrease the number of sexual assaults on college campuses. First, an amnesty policy should be offered to entice students under the influence to report a sexual assault. Second, require colleges and universities to conduct an annual sexual assault campaign. Third, require institutions to distribute a Students’ Bill of Rights to inform all victims of their legal rights, resources, and responsibility. Four, require institutions to report any form of sexually violent activity on campus to outside authorities.
Background
The crisis of sexual assault continues to affect college students, one in five women are sexually assaulted while in college and while less often, men are victims as well. Sexual assaults are usually committed by someone the victim knows and most often goes unreported due to social stigmas. Sexual assault affects a person physically, mentally, and emotionally “survivors are 6.2 times more likely to develop PTSD, 3 times more likely to have a major depressive episode, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs, and 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol”[1]. By informing students of their rights, resources, and protecting them, we can decrease the number of sexual assaults on college campuses.
Proposed Solution
Controlling the number of sexual assaults on college campuses will require federal, state, and campus regulation. The federal government should enact a bill that requires an amnesty policy – to ensure immunity for certain campus policy violations i.e.; drug and alcohol use. Require an annual sexual assault prevention campaign nationwide across campuses. Institutions will be required to distribute to students a Students Bill of Rights to inform victims of their legal rights, resources and responsibility to report sexual assaults to protect fellow peers. The intuitions must:
- Provide 3 mandatory counseling sessions with a specialist.
- Include a uniform definition of rape and sexual assault issued by the U.S. Department of Justice
- Protect the student from retaliation for reporting the incident
The bill should require institutions to report any form of sexually violent activity on campus to outside authorities. Failure to comply could jeopardize federal student aide funding.
Major Obstacles/Implementation Challenges
Opponents may argue that the nature of this proposal may be beyond the scope of the federal government and would restrict students’ rights. Upon examination it’s clear that the duties to keep students safe is distributed equally between federal, state, and local government. Challengers of this proposal could argue that it limits the right of students to choose to report the assault to outside officials. After analyzing this proposal one would understand that it essentially gives more rights to victims. Ultimately, it is our obligation to protect students from sexually violent crimes committed on college campuses.
Other Sources Consulted:
Kamenetz, A. (2015, February 2). The History of Campus Sexual Assaults. Retrieved January 10, 2016, from nprED: http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2014/11/30/36634838...
LaMonica, G. (2014, April 30). Biden urges men to be part of fight against campus rape. Retrieved January 01, 2016, from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/30/politics/biden-rape-...
NOT ALONE. (2014). NOT ALONE: The First Report of the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault. Washington: The White House.
State of New York. (2015). Senate Bill S5966, Enough is Enough. New York: New York State Senate & Governor Cuomo.
The Realities of Sexual Assault on Campus. (n.d.). Retrieved January 01, 2016, from Best Colleges: http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/preventing-s...
U.S. Department of Justice . (2014). Rape and Sexual Assault Victimization Amog College - Age Females, 1995-2013. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice .
[1] Best Colleges. (n.d.). The Realities of Sexual Assault on Campus. Retrieved January 08, 2016, from Best Colleges: http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/preventing-s...
