Landsman, Khanna, Frankel, Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve How College Campuses Handle Reports of Sexual Violence

Cincinnati, OH – Today, Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve how colleges and universities handle reports of sexual violence and ensure greater transparency, accountability, and student support.

Sexual violence remains a serious issue on college and university campuses across the country. Students often face challenges when it comes to reporting assaults, finding support, and trying to navigate a complex disciplinary system.

Representatives Landsman, Khanna, Frankel, and Fitzpatrick reintroduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act to improve the way colleges and universities address and report incidents of sexual assault – which would ensure a uniform and fair process for investigations and additional support for students on campus.

The Campus Accountability and Safety Act would:

• Increase transparency and reporting requirements under the Clery Act by mandating an institution’s website include campus safety policies, an annual security report, instructions for filing a complaint, and statistics of sexual misconduct allegations on campus.  
• Create sexual and interpersonal violence specialists to serve as confidential aides for victims and coordinate support services.
• Establish a standard procedure to handle sexual assault cases and ensure on-campus personnel are well-trained.
• Ensure individuals who report sexual misconduct in good faith are not punished for acts of self-defense, or alcohol or drug use, that is revealed by that report.  
• Create a campus grant program to address and prevent sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence on campuses.  

Congressman Landsman:

“Students have to be kept safe on college campuses. The reports of sexual violence at colleges and universities make it clear that changes are needed. Our bipartisan effort will ensure there’s way more transparency, accountability, and support for students.”

Congressman Khanna:

“After the horrific allegations at Cornell, LSU, and the countless stories we have heard from survivors on campuses across the country, Congress must act to protect survivors and ensure there is accountability. Due to stigma, many survivors don’t report sexual violence, much less pursue justice through their university’s system, and many perpetrators are never held accountable. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill with my colleagues to increase transparency, provide resources for survivors, and reduce barriers in the reporting process." 

Congresswoman Frankel:

“Students can’t learn if they are not safe. No student should have to fear sexual harassment, violence, or stalking while pursuing an education. The horrifying allegations recently brought to light at Cornell underscore the urgent need for action. Survivors of sexual abuse deserve confidential support and to be heard and treated with dignity. This legislation strengthens transparency and accountability and makes clear that keeping students safe is a fundamental responsibility of every college and university,”

Congressman Fitzpatrick:

“Sexual assault on college campuses continues to be a crisis that demands our immediate action. And, as with all crimes, weak enforcement and insufficient accountability only embolden perpetrators to act with impunity. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is a commitment to our students that we are taking action: action to ensure their safety and action to hold our educational institutions accountable by transforming how sexual assault and violence are handled and addressed. By demanding greater transparency, enforcing stringent accountability measures, and providing essential resources and support to victims, we can eliminate the toxic culture of inaction that has plagued our campuses for too long and create a safer environment for our students.”

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