Security On Campus, Inc. (SOC) joined with a diverse coalition of nearly 20 other organizations to endorse the federal Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act or Campus SaVE Act (S. 834). The measure, introduced yesterday by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), will update the Jeanne Clery Act to provide a better framework for the sexual assault education and victims' rights currently offered by colleges and universities, and expand them to also cover domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
"Sexual violence is a tragic and harsh reality on college campuses throughout the country," said Senator Casey. "We must ensure that when we send our sons and daughters off to colleges and universities, we are providing every means necessary for them to learn in a safe environment."
Between 20 and 25 percent of women in college will be the victim of a completed or attempted rape before they graduate according to the U.S. Department of Justice. College age women are at greatest risk for experiencing nonfatal intimate partner violence, and people age 18 and 19 experience the highest rates of stalking.
The Campus SaVE Act will update the Clery Act's provisions to reflect the lessons learned about what works to prevent campus violence -
SaVE is also endorsed by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER), the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), Break the Cycle, Casa de Esperanza, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the National Center for Victims of Crime, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Dating Abuse Helpline, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, Jewish Women International, the Women of Color Network, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), and Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE).