Hirono and colleagues introduce legislation to support campus sexual assault survivors: Maui Now

U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reintroduced legislation to support survivors of sexual assault on college campuses on September 18 after an unsuccessful first attempt a.

The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or SOS Campus Act, would require every college and university that receives federal funding to have an independent advocate dedicated to preventing and responding to sexual assault on campus.

Hirono says the bill, if passed, will provide much-needed medical, legal and mental health resources for survivors of sexual violence. In a press release announcing the bill, Hirono referenced an AP News report that over 90% of sexual misconduct cases are handled “informally” and without formal protections and guidance for survivors following 2020 changes to the Title IX reporting was undertaken.

The SOS Campus Act requires universities to have an independent advocate to conduct public information campaigns to prevent sexual assault and to ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to:

• Emergency and aftercare,
• Guidelines for reporting assaults to law enforcement authorities,
• Medical forensic or evidence examinations,
• Crisis intervention, ongoing advice and support throughout the process and
• Information about your legal rights.

Local rape crisis centers and other community-based organizations currently provide many of these services in some communities and on some campus locations across the country. The legislation recognizes the importance of these partnerships by requiring that universities either consult with or work with these organizations to ensure survivors have access to the services they need.