Boxer, Davis, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Provide an Independent Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Assault on Every Campus

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today joined with colleagues to introduce the Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act (S.O.S. Campus Act), legislation that would require colleges and universities to ensure that an independent advocate is available to support survivors of sexual assault on every campus. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have joined as original cosponsors of the Senate bill.

Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) will introduce the House version of the bill next week when the House is back in session.

"Sexual assault survivors deserve an advocate who will stand up and fight for them every step of the way," Senator Boxer said. "The University of California and the California State University system are already moving to put independent advocates on all their campuses, and other colleges are following suit. I am pleased that Senators Gillibrand and Kaine have joined in this effort to ensure that sexual assault survivors on every campus have the services and support they deserve."

"We've heard from survivors who, after enduring an assault, are left to fend for themselves through a disciplinary hearing," said Senator Gillibrand. "The campus advocate fills an essential role and would ensure that survivors will always have someone in their corner."

"Our responsibility is twofold -- to embrace strategies that prevent sexual assaults and to ensure that survivors have the support they need," said Senator Kaine. "By designating independent advocates on college campuses, the S.O.S. Campus Act will connect survivors to valuable counseling, medical care and legal information."

"The S.O.S. Campus Act will create a critical resource for sexual assault survivors -- an advocate who will be looking out for their rights and interests," said Rep. Davis. "This will encourage more survivors to come forward and help create an atmosphere on campuses that these crimes will not be tolerated."

The legislation would require every institution of higher education that receives federal funding to designate an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response. This advocate would be responsible for ensuring that survivors of sexual assault -- regardless of whether they decide to report the crime -- have access to:

-Emergency and follow-up medical care
-Guidance on reporting assaults to law enforcement
-Medical forensic or evidentiary exams
-Crisis intervention, ongoing counseling and assistance throughout the process
-Information on their legal rights

Local Rape Crisis Centers and other community-based organizations are already providing many of these services in communities and on campuses around the nation. The legislation recognizes the importance of these partnerships by requiring that universities either consult with or partner with these organizations to ensure that survivors get the services they need. The advocate will also conduct a public information campaign on the campuses.

Last year, following a letterfrom Senator Boxer and Congresswoman Davis, University of California President Janet Napolitano and California State University Chancellor Timothy P. White agreed to voluntarily implement provisions of the legislation by establishing an independent, on-campus advocate on every campus.

Last month, Senators Boxer and Gillibrand, who are also sponsors of the bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act, sent a letter to Education Secretary Arne Duncan requesting more information on the department's efforts to combat campus sexual assault.

The S.O.S. Campus Act is supported by the University of California, California State University, National Women's Law Center, Victim Rights Law Center, Jewish Women International, Break the Cycle, the American Association of University Women, Legal Momentum, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, Futures without Violence, the Association of Title IX Administrators, and Savannah Badalich, Founder of UCLA's 7000 in Solidarity: A Campaign Against Sexual Assault.

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