[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STATEMENT OF INTRODUCTION--CAMPUS ACCOUNTABILITY AND SAFETY ACT

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, it is time to 
further address the epidemic of sexual assaults at our nation's college 
and university campuses. During some of the most formative years of 
their lives, students across the country should not have to live in 
fear of being stalked or abused. That is why a bipartisan group have 
come together to introduce the Campus Accountability and Safety Act 
that will address ambiguities in the law, strengthen protections and 
enforcement, and improve reporting by universities.
  The changes included in the recent Violence Against Women Act 
reauthorization from the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act are 
starting to go into effect but more must be done. Rape is a horrific 
crime that exacts a physical and psychological toll on survivors. Women 
trying to get an education should not have to worry that they might 
also be victimized by predators on their campuses. This new legislation 
establishes new campus resources such as Confidential Advisors who will 
serve as a confidential resource and help coordinate support services; 
ensures specialized training and minimum standards for on-campus 
personnel who oversee sexual assault cases; creates new annual 
standardized, anonymous surveys that will be published online to help 
high school students and their parents make informed choices when 
comparing universities; requires a uniform process for campus 
disciplinary proceedings; no longer allows athletic departments or 
other subgroups to handle sexual violence complaints separately; and 
establishes penalties if schools do not comply with the legislation.
  I applaud the work of our colleagues in the Senate on their 
comprehensive and bipartisan bill, and thank my colleagues, Reps. 
Patrick Meehan, Ted Poe, Cheri Bustos, Gwen Moore, Suzanne Bonamici, 
Susan Brooks, Renee Ellmers, Lynn Jenkins, Shelley Moore Capito, Kristi 
Noem, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Tom Reed, Robert Scott, Lois Frankel, 
David Joyce, Ann Kuster, and Gary Peters, for teaming up on this 
legislation. I am hopeful that the House will take up this effort in 
tandem with the Senate so that we can put a bill on the President's 
desk.

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