By Juan Soto
In an effort to reduce sexual assaults on its 64 campuses, the State University of New York announced a “yes means yes” uniformed policy requiring “clear, unambiguous, informed, and voluntary agreement” between partners.
The new policy applies to the approximately 463,000 students attending SUNY schools.
The new SUNY policy comes at a time when Gov. Cuomo has on his desk a bill that would require state universities and colleges, as well as private universities, to report violent felonies to law enforcement agencies.
The bill was introduced by state Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside), and passed both by the Assembly and the Senate.
“SUNY is taking a critical step toward combating the epidemic of sexual violence and misconduct on out college campuses,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said the school system’s “top priority is to protect our students and foster safe learning environments.”
All freshmen and transfer students will be notified about the new sexual assault policy.
During the new guidelines announcement, Cuomo launched a new user-friendly website that provides information to students, parents, administrators and law enforcement regarding sexual assault prevention. The website has resources for students to learn how to protect themselves “and seek help when necessary.” Data regarding sexual assault and violent crimes reported on the SUNY campuses will be available.
According to the Justice department and the White House Council on Women and Girls, one in five college females have been the victim of a sexual assault. Of those, only 12 percent reported the crimes to police.
Laura Dunn, a sexual assault victim and executive director of SurvJustice, an organization that focuses on victim’s rights within college campuses, said she was “impressed” with the new SUNY policy.
“These policies are both compassionate towards survivors and compliant with federal law,” Dunn said.
Braunstein said his bill “seeks to have law enforcement agencies more involved in attacks on campuses.”
Currently, if a sexual assault occurs on campus, the victim notifies the school’s administrators. But they are not required to report the crime to the authorities, Braunstein pointed out.
“Usually, the schools say they will take action, expelling the student, but they never involve law enforcement,” the lawmaker said.
He emphasized that his bill and the new SUNY policy “don’t conflict with each other.”
Before reporting the case to authorities, the victim has to give her consent.
“The cases will be reported only if the victim does not have any objections,” said Braunstein.
Involving law enforcement agencies, he said, “will dissuade students from sexually assaulting others.”
This week, a senate panel examined the role of law enforcement in campus sexual assault cases.
“As a parent, I’ve been sickened by reports of sexual assaults on campuses across America,” U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said.
Reach reporter Juan Soto by e-mail at jsoto@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.
