Governor Signs Bill to Combat College Sex Assaults

Gov. Dannel Malloy signed legislation on Monday that is intended to combat the problem of sexual assaults at Connecticut colleges and universities.

The legislation requires colleges to provide services to victims, institute sexual assault policies and report incidents. Both the state House of Representatives and Senate passed it unanimously.

“Our students should feel safe on our colleges and universities and if that is not the case, we need to ensure we are doing all we can to protect them and prevent future acts of violence,” Malloy said in a statement. “I am proud that Connecticut is leading the nation in the implementation of strict legislation that will force change.”

This legislation was signed into law two weeks after the U.S. Department of Education revealed that 55 colleges and universities, including UConn, are being investigated for how they handled sexual abuse complaints under Title IX.

Five plaintiffs have filed a sex discrimination lawsuit against the school, saying they were sexually assaulted while studying in Storrs.

The Connecticut legislation requires colleges and universities to provide victims written notification of their rights and establish a campus resource team to review policies and recommend protocols for providing support and services to students and employees who report being victims. 

It also puts into place education requirements for the institution’s Title IX coordinator and special police force, campus police force or campus safety personnel, as well as training requirements for members of the state or local police who respond to campus incidents.

The General Assembly’s Higher Education Committee will also receive annual reports.
 

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