Legislators support bill to address sexual assault on college campuses

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State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) speaks at a press conference on the proposed ‘Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Bill’ Jan. 30 in Hartford. –CONTRIBUTED
State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) speaks at a press conference on the proposed ‘Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Bill’ Jan. 30 in Hartford. –CONTRIBUTED

HARTFORD — State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) joined colleagues from both sides of the aisle this week in support of proposed legislation to address sexual assaults on college campuses and between intimate partners.

The proposed “Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Bill” legislation would bring current state law in closer alignment with the federal Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act by requiring the uniform campus crime reports to include incidences of sexual assault and intimate partner violence against students and employees that were reported to the institution of higher education.

This legislation would also add employees of an institution to the law and permit institutions to provide the option for victims of sexual assault or intimate partner violence to report such assault or violence anonymously, provided maintaining the confidentiality of the individual does not violate state or federal law.

“The proposed language in this bill is a work in progress, however, having so many legislators come together on important legislation to add further protections for the students, professors and staff on our college campuses is another positive step in our fight to minimize, if not stop, sexual assault and exploitation across Connecticut,” Rebimbas said in a press release.

This law also requires annual reporting to the HED committee on each school’s policies, and requires each institution of higher education to establish a sexual assault response team (SART) for each of its campuses.

In addition, the proposed legislation requires each institution of higher education to enter into a memorandum of understanding with at least one community-based sexual assault or intimate partner violence crisis service center for purposes of ensuring that student and employee victims can access free and confidential counseling and advocacy services.

“Educational institutions should be fostering a safe learning and teaching environment for all of their students and staff,” Rebimbas said in the release. “This bill will assure that proper procedures are put in place and followed to make sure our colleges and universities are a safe learning environment for everyone.”