HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act
Bill Summary
This bill would increase funding for Title IX and Clery investigators and also allow students to sue universities for violations of the Clery Act in order to obtain, among other things, compensatory damages. In addition, the bill requires public disclosure of the list of institutions under investigation, the sanctions imposed or findings issued after investigation. It would also require schools to complete biennial climate surveys.
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Opponents say
As you can imagine, this bill doesn’t address due process rights for the accused. The bill calls for colleges to provide “survivor resources, including health care, rape kits, sexual assault nurse examiners and confidential advocates on campus.” Again, nowhere does it mention any kind of services for those accused.The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, an organization dedicated to protecting due process at colleges and universities, noted that this bill gives the U.S. Department of Education “broad enforcement powers” over them.
Proponents say
“We have to stop campus sexual assault in its tracks,” said Rep. Speier. “We need real enforcement that will make colleges live up to their obligations under federal law.” At an event marking the introduction, Speier reiterated that “Rape is a crime” and noted that the HALT Campus Sexual Violence Act was a result of student organizing and survivors who have had the courage to come forward.
