Make colleges enforce an additional justice system for sexual assault and sexual harassment that happens on campus.

 

An investigation into midwestern colleges and universities found that sexual assault cases reported by students led to

only 7% convictions, with just 2% resulting in actual punishment. High rates of unpunished individuals persist, as 98%

of those who commit sexual assault face no consequences. The low rates of punishment are attributed to underreporting

and the fact that many cases are not pursued. The justice system in colleges and universities involves a system of

criminal and administrative justice systems. A criminal justice system has different penalties than an administrative

system where penalties are license suspension, and cease and desist and criminal justice system has penalties of

community service, probation, and fines.

 

 

Out of every 1 in 4 female and 1 in 14 male college students experience sexual assault during their time in college. By

enforcing a stronger justice system for sexual assault, students will feel more comfortable reporting these encounters.

This will create a safer and healthier environment for college students, making them more likely to come forward, which

in return could increase arrests and convictions on campuses.

 

 

Sexual Assault - Nonconsensual sexual acts done by one individual to another.

Sexual Harassment - unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that can be verbal, visual, or physical

Conviction - declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense made by verdict of jury.

Justice System Committee - This committee is created on behalf of supporting this new justice system and set of

procedures being implemented on Campus to help support students who are survivors of sexual harrassment, or sexual

assault. The committee can be made up of any of the following: students, staff, administration, psych professionals,

outside organizations that support survivors through a report, etc. The committee will have to make sure that they take

certain classes and pass certain test similar to law enforcement to learn more about reporting crimes of sexual

harrasment and sexual assault. The committee will need to be knowledgeable about the laws associated with it. The

committee will also have to go through background checks, and additional reporting to make sure that they are fit to

serve on this committee and make the decisions necessary to support all students.

Justice system - Set of procedures designed to uphold law determine guilt or innocence for crime. The justice system set

for this bill includes:

Step 1: Students report the incident in depth. Students will be given a support system when reporting the incident and

given all the resources to collect all the evidence needed to support the report.

Step 2: The report is brought to administration and supporting law enforcement within a 3 day period, and the case must

be investigated and considered within a 3 week period, the sooner the better to address it in a timely manner.

Step 3: Administration removes the student that caused harm from all campus related activities immediately; and that

includes them attending classes, living in the dorm hall, etc.

Step 4: The committee/student group that supports this justice system being placed into campuses will provide additional

support for the student making the report.

Step 5: Once the investigation is complete, the committee will convene with college administration to determine

consequences and further disciplinary actions made on behalf of the student that caused harm, considering their future

at that institution. The committee will have to make their decision within a one week period.

Step 6: Everyone will go through the process of writing everything up to make it formal for everyone involved in the

process.

Step 7: Greater support will be available for all those involved to make sure that they are socially, emotionally,

mentally, and physically well.

 

 

No funding needed because this will be a student/staff led committee and initiative that people will volunteer for.

Because it’s something they care about and there community as a whole

 

 

1 .Any individual found guilty will face criminal charges in relation to the law

2 .Violating the law and school policies, these individuals may also face restrictions on campus activities or even be

prohibited from returning to the college campus altogether, and the individual will pay any financial aid of the victim.

3 .Additionally, they will have to pay additional fees ranging from $5,000 - $20,000 for causing anxiety, PTSD, and

shame to the victim. Statistics show that on average survivors pay anywhere from $5,000 - $20,000 in costs to heal from

such traumatizing acts.

 

 

This will go into effect for the 2027-2028 school year.