Sen. Hwang Supports Proposed Legislation Providing Protections Against College Sexual Assault

HARTFORD – Today, a bipartisan coalition of legislators on the Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee, including State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) and State Representative Gregg Haddad (D-Mansfield), the committee’s co-chairs, State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield), the committee’s ranking member, and State Representative Gary Turco (D-Newington) gathered in the State Capitol’s Old Judiciary Room in support of legislation designed to change the climate of college campuses and provide additional protections against sexual assault. Representatives from the Every Voice Coalition and the Connecticut Coalition to End Sexual Violence joined the legislators to further advocate for the legislation.

“Senate Bill 19 will make great strides in enabling proper protections for Connecticut’s future.  College students need the assurance that they are in a safe environment and they should feel empowered to report any degree of misconduct,” said Sen. Hwang.  “I am proud to be part of the team putting our students’ safety first.”

Senate Bill 19, “An Act Concerning Sexual Misconduct on College Campuses,” proposes two changes on college campuses. If made law, the legislation would establish a sexual misconduct climate survey for use by Connecticut colleges and universities. It would also protect students who report being victims or witnesses of sexual assault, stalking or violence against potential disciplinary action by the college or university they attend.

The survey in question would anonymously gather information about incidents of sexual assault, students’ knowledge of procedures and rules in place regarding sexual assault, contextual factors and demographic information. A task force would then analyze survey results and publish a report based on the findings. Similar legislation exists in Massachusetts.