The Huffington Post reports that multiple states have drifted bills that look to increase police involvement in campus sexual assaults in the article, “States Want More Campus Rape Reports Sent To Police, But Survivors Feel Differently.”
New Jersey is one of the states that has put up a proposal, with lawmakers seeking a requirement for colleges to report to law enforcement any sexual assault disclosures. Within the article, NJCASA addresses the issue of mandatory reporting of campus sexual assault to law enforcement:
“‘Why, once someone enrolls in one of our colleges or universities, should they lose their right to make decisions about how to proceed after such a violent crime was committed against them?’ asked Patricia Teffenhart, executive director of NJCASA. ‘Why are the rights of college survivors trumped by our desire to hold institutions and offenders accountable?'”
Survivors and advocates agree that it should be up to the individual to decide who to report to and what actions should be pursued. For the full article, visit the Huffington Post.