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Governor Malloy Signs Campus Sexual Assault Bill

Governor Dannel Malloy
Gov. Malloy signed several bills into law on Monday, including one aimed at addressing sexual assault on college campuses in the state.
"It's going to be required that you implement these best practices."
Jillian Gilchrest

Governor Malloy has signed into law a bill that attempts to address and prevent sexual assault on all public and private colleges and universities in Connecticut. 

This follows recommendations released recently by the White House aimed at preventing sexual assault on college campuses nationwide. One in five women is sexually assaulted in college, according to the White House report.

Jillian Gilchrest, director of public policy at Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, called Connecticut'?s law ?the first of its kind in the nation.? "The president'?s report is suggesting best practices," she said. "This is requiring that all institutions of higher education in Connecticut ?-- private; public; if you have residential; if you don'?t have residential -- it's going to be required that you implement these best practices."

The best practices include requiring colleges and universities to clearly lay out ?in writing all options available to victims. It will be up to victims to decide whether to go to campus police, speak with law enforcement off-campus, contact an advocate, or go to a hospital.

Victims will be allowed to disclose sexual assaults anonymously. University disciplinary officers will need to undergo training each year.

The bill takes effect July 1st, 2014.

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, Here and Now; and The World from PRX. She spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

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