A package of six bills aimed at preventing sexual assaults on New Jersey college campuses and strengthening protections for victims has cleared the Assembly Higher Education Committee.
The legislation would impose new requirements on colleges and universities, including mandatory training for students, improved reporting procedures, campus safety initiatives and potential financial penalties for institutions that fail to properly respond to sexual assault allegations.
Assemblywoman Marisa Sweeney (D-Morristown), a sponsor of two measures, said colleges need to focus on preventing assaults before they occur, particularly during students’ first year.
“For undergraduates, the first year of college is a particularly high-risk time. The early months of a student’s college experience are often called the ‘red zone,’ when the risk of sexual assault is especially high. Among undergraduate women, 1 in 6 reported sexual assault in their first year of college,” Sweeney said.
“We cannot continue to treat sexual assault as a problem we address only after someone has been harmed. Prevention must begin with education, and that education must be consistent, clear, and accessible.”
The bills would require four-year colleges to provide affirmative consent and Title IX training to incoming and transfer students, establish uniform campus climate surveys and expand the responsibilities of the Campus Sexual Assault Commission.
Another measure would authorize fines against colleges that fail to appropriately respond to allegations of sexual assault by students.
Assemblywoman Heather Simmons (D-Glassboro), who sponsored legislation expanding campus sexual assault education initiatives, said families need confidence that students will be protected.
“At its core, this legislation is about working together to create safer college communities and ensuring that students know where to turn when they need help,” Simmons said.
The measures now await further consideration in the Assembly.
RELATED ARTICLES
-
November 27, 2018 -
