U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors (SUCCESS) Act and the Survivor Outreach and Support (SOS) Campus Act—bicameral legislation to prevent campus sexual assault and improve support for student survivors.
The SUCCESS Act would help improve academic outcomes for student survivors and ensure colleges and universities have the resources to support them. The Survivor Outreach and Support on Campus Act, or S.O.S. Campus Act, would require every college and university that receives federal funding to have an independent advocate dedicated to campus sexual assault prevention and response.
“Every student deserves to feel safe on their college campus and to know that if they experience sexual violence, they will be supported and taken seriously. The urgency to act has been put into sharp relief as we learn more about the horrific allegations coming out of Cornell,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “These bills will give colleges and universities more tools to prevent sexual violence, support survivors, and help ensure students can continue their education in a safe and supportive environment. No student should ever have to choose between their safety and their education.”
“Every student deserves to live and learn in a healthy and safe environment. We must do everything we can to prevent sexual assault on college campuses and provide comprehensive support to survivors,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m proud to introduce these bills to help ensure survivors can access medical care, counseling, and the academic support they need to heal and continue pursuing their educational and professional goals.”
Sexual violence can impact student survivors physically, psychologically, emotionally, and academically. Survivors may face difficulty learning and retaining information, lower grade point averages, and a greater risk of dropping out of school. College and university students deserve the ability to learn without fear of sexual violence, and higher education institutions have an obligation to do everything they can to provide a safe learning environment for their students. The legislation would help colleges and universities provide comprehensive guidance, resources, and support for survivors to make campuses a safer place to learn.
The S.O.S. Campus Act would require campuses to have an independent advocate to conduct public information campaigns on sexual assault prevention and ensure that survivors of sexual assault have access to:
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Emergency and follow-up medical care,
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Guidance on reporting assaults to law enforcement
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Medical forensic or evidentiary exams,
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Crisis intervention, ongoing counseling, and assistance throughout the process, and
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Information on their legal rights.
The legislation would also require universities to consult with or partner with local rape crisis centers and other community-based organizations to ensure survivors can access the services they need.
The SUCCESS Act would provide funding for universities and colleges to:
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Provide higher education re-entry assistance for student survivors of sexual assault and other forms of violence;
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Increase training for faculty and administrators on patient-centered care and recognizing signs of trauma;
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Provide patient-centered professional development training for academic advisors and counselors;
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Provide academic accommodations for students experiencing trauma, such as patient-centered training for tutors or the establishment of a confidential tutoring program specifically designed to assist student survivors of sexual assault and other violence;
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Increase mental health services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence; and
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Create or enhance a fund for survivors of sexual assault and other violence to use for wrap-around services like housing, health care, and mental health treatment.
The S.O.S. Campus Act and the SUCCESS Act are endorsed by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
Bill text of the S.O.S. Campus Act can be found HERE.
Bill text of the SUCCESS Act can be found HERE.
