Reps. Maloney and Katko, Sens. Gillibrand and Grassley Re-Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Campus Sexual Violence

Press Release

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), sponsor of the Campus SaVE Act, and Congressman John Katko (NY-24) reintroduced the bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) to combat sexual violence on college campuses and provide resources for survivors. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Senate companion bill. The bill has already been endorsed by more than 30 supporting organizations.

"While we've made some progress to protect survivors of campus sexual violence with my Campus SaVE Act, which became law in 2013, more work is needed to combat the troublesome persistence of sexual violence on college campuses," said Rep. Maloney. "The Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) would increase transparency and reporting, address ambiguities in the law, beef up protections for survivors, and strengthen enforcement for survivors of sexual violence on college campuses. Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking are horrific crimes that exact a physical and psychological toll on survivors and an entire community. Students should never feel they are unsafe on their campuses and should have access to support services and resources."

"The threat of sexual assault on college campus remains all too prevalent in the United States, with RAINN estimating that 13% of all students experience some form of sexual assault," said Rep. John Katko. "This tragic trend must end now. Throughout my time in Congress, I've been proud to work on bipartisan efforts to help keep students safe, and I am proud today to join my colleagues in reintroducing the Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This bipartisan bill would require greater transparency and accountability, while also establishing expanding resources for colleges to prevent sexual assault."

"Sexual assault remains an all-too-common occurrence in colleges and universities across the country, and for far too long, there has been a lack of accountability among higher education institutions with varying access to data and resources depending on the institution," said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "Students are demanding that Congress take this problem seriously, which is why I am proud to reintroduce my bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act. This legislation would not only professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assault, but also protect survivors and help give them the support they need. I urge my colleagues to take this issue seriously and fight alongside us to pass this bipartisan bill."

"Sexual assault is a crime, and like any crime, weak enforcement emboldens perpetrators. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will make data more transparent, provide colleges with needed resources and give students a clear person to report to who can provide confidential advice. This will help ensure perpetrators are brought to justice and survivors have the resources needed to recover from life-altering trauma. By taking these necessary steps, our bill will help deter and prevent sexual assault on college campuses," said U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley.

"Student survivors deserve to know that their schools prioritize their safety and offer comprehensive resources and support. That's why End Rape On Campus is honored to endorse the bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act of 2022, which will create incentives for schools to proactively protect students and rid campuses of sexual predators. Existing prevention and support systems have traditionally failed to center the needs of student survivors of color, LGBTQIA+ survivors, disabled survivors and other historically excluded populations. By increasing accountability and transparency for schools, CASA will help make reporting sexual assault part of the solution to keeping students safe on campus, not a problem schools try to hide," said Kenyora Parham, Executive Director of End Rape On Campus.

"It is simply not enough for schools to respond to sexual violence after it occurs; institutions must work to proactively prevent and eliminate it. It's On Us is grateful that the Campus Accountability and Safety Act of 2022 supports comprehensive, evidence-based programming to prevent sexual violence in all its forms. With this emphasis on prevention education, along with stiffer, more enforceable penalties for Clery Act violations, CASA reinforces that colleges and universities have a legal and moral responsibility to stop sexual violence before it happens, and they must be held accountable if they fail to do so." said Tracey Vitchers, Executive Director of It's On Us.

"Sexual violence and interpersonal violence continue to be pervasive against students, and student survivors too often not given adequate support in the aftermath of violence and struggle in school as a result. The National Women's Law Center is proud to endorse CASA as it would ensure student survivors are given the help they need to succeed and feel safe in school again," said Shiwali Patel, Director of Justice for Student Survivors & Senior Counsel at the National Women's Law Center.

"We're grateful for Rep. Maloney's vital leadership to address campus sexual assault. The Campus Accountability and Safety Act will expand resources for survivors as well as invest in sexual violence prevention, and we're excited to work with her toward passage of this important legislation," said Terri Poore, Policy Director at the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

The Campus Accountability and Safety Act (CASA) bill would:

· Increase transparency and reporting required under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act.

· Create a campus safety website that would give students information on each institution's title IX coordinator and similar officials and how to file a complaint and include relevant data reported by institutions.

· Establish new campus resources and support services for survivors of campus sexual assault, including Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Coordinators to provide information and coordinate support services.

· Establish a uniform process to adjudicate sexual assault cases and ensure on-campus personnel receive proper training.

· Create a competitive grant program to address and prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking on college campuses.

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