Democratic Legislators Announce Support for New State-wide Campus Sexual Assault Prevention Policy

Democratic caucus members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) announced today their support for a uniform sexual assault policy on all New York college campuses.

This year Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced a legislative proposal called “Enough is Enough” to extend the sexual assault prevention and response policy he proposed last year, and which was adopted by the State University of New York in 2014, to ensure that the more than one million students attending all of the colleges and universities throughout the state, both public and private, are protected with comprehensive and uniform procedures and guidelines.

“One in five women experiences rape during college, according to national statistics, and yet fewer than five percent of college rapes are reported to law enforcement officials,” noted BOL Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining), who has a daughter presently attending college. “Clearly, Governor Cuomo understands that this disregard of serious crimes can no longer be tolerated. His new proposed legislation, which makes it easier for students to report incidents of sexual assault and violence, will help protect all college students in New York and make their campuses safer.”

Westchester County has thirteen such schools—colleges and universities—with thousands of students who can benefit from such a policy. According to the U. S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, eleven colleges and universities in New York are now under investigation for mishandling sexual assault complaints.

“It is obvious that Governor Cuomo’s ‘Enough is Enough’ policy is long overdue,” said Legislator Alfreda Williams (D-Greenburgh), chair of the BOL Community Services Committee. “Too many victims of sexual assault and sexual violence have had to suffer needlessly in their quest for proper care and justice following attacks. I am confident that this expansion of the SUNY policy will be adopted and implemented quickly for the good of those attending colleges and universities here in New York.”

The new sexual assault prevention policy will codify definitions of affirmative sexual consent between partners, and also create a Sexual Violence Victim / Survivor Bill of Rights, which campuses will be required to distribute to all students in order to specifically inform students of their legal rights and how they may access appropriate resources if assaulted.

“Governor Cuomo deserves credit for his strong efforts in eliminating sexual assaults on New York’s college campuses and standing behind victims of sexual violence,” said Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers), who initially introduced a letter of support for the new uniform sexual assault policy. “All our college students need—and deserve—these protections.”

With the new policy, instead of merely reporting sexual assaults to college security officials, college students state-wide will know they can report such assaults directly to the New York State police and other law enforcement agencies.

“I stand firmly with Governor Cuomo in support of his ‘Enough is Enough’ policy to reduce the number of sexual assaults on college campuses in New York State,” said Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson). “We have over one dozen private college campuses in Westchester County, attended by thousands of our residents, and thousands more of our residents attend colleges and universities elsewhere in this State. These students, and their parents, should have every expectation that they will be safe on campus, and ‘Enough is Enough’ will help keep them safe.”

“Every parent wants to know that their daughters are safe on and off college campuses,” said BOL Majority Whip Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon). “That safety is severely compromised when young women are subjected to sexual assaults on college campuses, and as a society we must establish strong public policy and laws that send a strong message that ‘Enough is Enough.’ We will not tolerate sexual assaults on college campuses. I commend Governor Cuomo for his leadership in sending that strong message.”

Legislator Ben Boykin (D-White Plains) said, “I strongly support Governor Cuomo’s on-campus sexual assault prevention policy entitled ‘Enough is Enough.’ This policy will provide all New York public and private college students with access to the legal system to deal with sexual assault. As a former member of a college board of trustees, I understand the issues relating to sexual assault from reporting, investigating and seeking legal representation. This policy is a major step forward to protect all New York college students.”

“Rape on college campuses is not a new problem, but there needs to be a new solution for victims,” said Legislator Catherine Parker (D-Rye). “The ‘Enough is Enough’ proposal answers the call for a better process, better treatment and better policy for all involved. I applaud Governor Cuomo for taking the steps to create a common sense approach to deal with this devastating crime.”

Added Legislator Pete Harckham (D-North Salem): “As the father of two college-age daughters, I fully support the ‘Enough is Enough’ initiative. Over the years I have been a strong supporter of our Westchester partnering agencies that provide domestic violence services to our residents, so I know that we can no longer have two different standards for victims of sexual assault. ‘Enough is Enough’ will provide clarity to college students as to their rights and access to the legal system. On behalf of my daughters, and everyone else’s daughters, I applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership in this regard.”

A resolution in support of the state-wide “Enough is Enough” policy is expected to be introduced for approval at the BOL next week.