New rules from Sen. Casey’s campus sex assault law go into effect
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After becoming law more than two years ago, the Campus SaVE Act finally went into effect Wednesday, closing a gap in the law by requiring colleges and universities to clearly spell out their policies regarding sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
The law sponsored by Sen. Bob Casey requires institutions of higher education to develop a clear statement of policy regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, including programs to prevent the assaults from occurring; provide written information to victims regarding their rights and the resources available to them; and establish clear campus conduct procedures for disciplinary processes against individuals accused of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking.
The act will also increase awareness and prevention by requiring transparency of information, prevention programs, assistance for victims and clear institutional judicial proceedings to promote accountability.
Casey said the act is a huge step forward in protecting college communities.
“The Campus SaVE Act is the most significant update to the campus sexual assault provisions of the Clery Act in two decades. As of today, all institutions of higher education must be in compliance with the new law,” Casey said. “The Campus SaVE Act makes a huge leap forward in protecting college communities and providing resources for victims of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. When students start, or return to, college in the fall, they will benefit from new prevention programs designed to reduce sexual abuse and dating violence, and will have new protections under the law.”
The act was included in S.B. 47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, which became law March 7, 2013. It amends Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
When students return to their campuses in the fall, their colleges or universities will need to be fully compliant with the VAWA amendments. Casey said colleges and universities will be closely monitored to enforce the implementation of policies.
More than 25 organizations, including the American Association of University Women and Men Can Stop Rape, endorsed the act.