[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 122 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2018

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleague 
Congressman Ted Poe holding this important Special Order Hour to honor 
survivors of sexual violence on our college campuses, and in particular 
the brave members of the 12th Woman, a group of survivors from Texas 
A&M University who are speaking truth to power about their experiences. 
Judge Poe has been unwavering in his pursuit of justice for victims of 
sexual violence on the bench and in Congress. I applaud his strong 
advocacy and tireless dedication to this incredibly important cause. He 
is a true ally and his legacy on this issue will continue to help 
countless victims and survivors move forward.
  When parents drop off their children for their first year of college, 
we expect our institutions of higher learning to keep them safe. But 
that's not the reality for 20 percent of young women and six percent of 
young men who are destined to become victims of sexual assault on 
campus. To make matters worse, survivors are constantly told that they 
are responsible for their assault--from being penalized for so-called 
`code of ethics' violations, like drinking at parties or going into 
other students' dorm rooms, to being blamed for not fighting back.
  That includes a brave survivor at Texas A&M who had the wherewithal 
to alert her school that her rapist was allowed back on the swim team 
after being suspended for only one semester and not being subject to 
criminal charges. The school's response speaks volumes--``I regret your 
displeasure with the perceived impact, and I wish you all the best as 
you continue to seek healing.'' The school's failure to protect the 
survivor and other potential victims is unacceptable.
  They are not alone. Universities continue to inadequately deal with 
perpetrators across the country--from expulsions after graduation, to 
honor code violations that carry less of a penalty than plagiarism, to 
allowing perpetrators to directly cross-examine their victims about 
their past sexual history during the so-called investigative process. 
This kind of antiquated victim-blaming and -shaming must end.
  That is why I am introducing the bipartisan Hold Accountable and Lend 
Transparency or HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act with my colleague 
Congressmen Ted Poe and Brian Fitzpatrick, to ensure that our colleges 
and universities do everything they can to hold perpetrators 
accountable and to provide the support survivors need and deserve.

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