"It's going to be required that you implement these best practices."
Jillian Gilchrest
Governor Malloy has signed into law a bill that attempts to address and prevent sexual assault on all public and private colleges and universities in Connecticut.
This follows recommendations released recently by the White House aimed at preventing sexual assault on college campuses nationwide. One in five women is sexually assaulted in college, according to the White House report.
Jillian Gilchrest, director of public policy at Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, called Connecticut'?s law ?the first of its kind in the nation.? "The president'?s report is suggesting best practices," she said. "This is requiring that all institutions of higher education in Connecticut ?-- private; public; if you have residential; if you don'?t have residential -- it's going to be required that you implement these best practices."
The best practices include requiring colleges and universities to clearly lay out ?in writing all options available to victims. It will be up to victims to decide whether to go to campus police, speak with law enforcement off-campus, contact an advocate, or go to a hospital.
Victims will be allowed to disclose sexual assaults anonymously. University disciplinary officers will need to undergo training each year.
The bill takes effect July 1st, 2014.
