A new survey of the nation's top colleges and universities will help shape legislation addressing on-campus sexual assaults. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri calls it “disturbing” that 41 percent of the responding institutions said they have not carried out any sexual assault investigations in five years.
“Which means they are saying there has been zero incidents of sexual assault on their campuses. That is hard to believe and obviously very problematic,” McCaskill said.
McCaskill's also troubled by the number of schools where students adjudicate sexual assault cases. She also cited athletic departments that oversee cases involving athletes.
The Democrat says legislation is expected in late August or early September.
Meanwhile, the president of Northern Illinois University formed a task force to implement White House recommendations regarding sexual assaults.
NIU President Doug Baker issued a letter to the campus community yesterday highlighting resources for reporting and responding to sexual assault. Baker says incoming students are encouraged to participate in a new online tool for addressing assaults, including prevention and bystander intervention.
He says campus police offer walking escorts 24 hours a day and an after-hours shuttle service. NIU also sponsors women’s self-defense training with the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) system.
Baker announced a presidential task force to follow-up on President Obama's Violence Against Women Act. It expands reporting requirements to include domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
White House Report On Sexual Assault
In 2012, NIU reported 11 forcible sexual offenses, up from 6 the year before. Experts say many cases go unreported on campuses across the nation.
