Peters Joins Bipartisan Coalition of Senators to Introduce Legislation to Prevent Sexual Assaults on College and University Campuses, Protect Students & Create Real Accountability

Press Release

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) joined a bipartisan group of twelve Senators today to introducing the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, a bill that would professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assaults that occur on campuses to better protect and empower students, while also protecting the rights of accused students. The bill, which includes input from survivors, students, colleges and universities, law enforcement and advocates, would flip the current incentives of a broken system to provide real accountability and transparency from higher education institutions. Peters cosponsored a previous version of the legislation last Congress in the House of Representatives.

"As the father of two teenage daughters, I'm proud to join with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to tackle the serious problem of sexual assault on college campuses," said Senator Peters. "This bill is a major step towards creating an environment where all students can feel safe and secure while receiving a higher education by bringing more accountability and transparency to reporting sexual assault on campuses."

The legislation was introduced by Senator Peters, Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Dean Heller (R-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

The legislation would secure landmark reforms for how colleges and universities address and report incidents of sexual assault that occur on their campuses. It incorporates feedback from key stakeholders to strengthen how student surveys are conducted and strengthens newly required training standards. The provisions safeguard both survivors and accused students. It extends the amount of time survivors have to file a case with the Department of Education, and sets new notification requirements for both survivors and accused students involved in the campus disciplinary process.

"This bill will provide more training for campus personnel and help ensure victims are supported, and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence thanks Senator Peters and his colleagues for their leadership on this pressing issue," said Mary Keefe, the Executive Director of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

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