Bill would revamp how sexual violence on campus is handled
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A bill moving through the Legislature would regulate how colleges and universities in the state deal with allegations of sexual violence or harassment involving students.
Among other things, the bill requires that the educational institutions always have a trained victim's advocate available, coordinate with local enforcement, and make it possible for students to report incidents online.
It would also give victims amnesty from discipline under drug and alcohol policies if they report an assault.
The chief author in the House is Rep. Marion O'Neill, R-Buffalo. The issue hits particularly close to home for her because she has college-aged children.
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O'Neill said even though there is federal law aimed at helping fight campus crime, there are gaps in school responses. She said requiring schools to accept online reports would make it easier for victims to come forward.
"One out of five women are assaulted in their lifetime. So its a huge problem," O'Neill said. "If anything, it's under-reported, not over-reported. There's always going to be false accusations, but I am so afraid of the things that fall through the cracks, the girls that are afraid to report."
The bill would also require state school students to undergo mandatory sexual assault awareness training.
MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with O'Neill about her bill.