Press Releases
Representatives Kuster, Speier, Poe & Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Campus Sexual Violence
Washington, DC,
July 23, 2018
Tags:
Ending Sexual Violence
Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Ted Poe (R-TX), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today introduced H.R. 6464, the bipartisan Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency (HALT) Campus Sexual Violence Act to strengthen prevention and enforcement efforts to combat campus sexual violence. “No student should ever fear for their safety on the campus they call home,” Rep. Kuster said. “We continue to hear extremely alarming stories about the pervasiveness of sexual violence on campuses across the country, so it is critical that Congress take steps to address and end this outrageous epidemic. As co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, I am proud to bring people together from both sides of the aisle to work toward solutions that will make our schools and communities safer. By strengthening prevention and enforcement efforts on college campuses, as well as improving coordination and public awareness, the Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency (HALT) on Campus Sexual Violence Act is a step in the right direction. I am pleased to join with my colleagues to help introduce this important legislation.” “Our institutions of higher education must be held accountable for lax policies against sexual violence occurring on their campuses. Young women and men attending college deserve the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe environment, free from fear,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “The HALT Act ensures that universities take every possible step to eradicate sexual violence on college campuses. With nearly one-in-five young women, and 6-percent of young men likely to experience some type of sexual violence on campus, Congress must act to keep our youth safe.” Under federal law, students are entitled to an educational environment free of sexual harassment and violence. However, the National Institute of Justice estimated that 63 percent of universities shirk their legal responsibilities when responding to these violent crimes. The HALT Act would strengthen prevention efforts and the enforcement of laws to combat campus sexual violence by:
The HALT Act is supported by the following organizations: National Women’s Law Center, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Know Your IX, End Rape on Campus, Girls, Inc., Feminist Majority Foundation, California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV). ### |