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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING CONGRESS TO PASS THE BIPARTISAN CAMPUS ACCOUNTABILITY & SAFTEY ACT TO ENCOURAGE MORE TRANSPARENT AND EFFICIENT PREVENTION, REPORTING AND RESPONSE POLICIES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Education, college campuses reported over 5,000 forcible sex offenses in 2013 - but a recent study by the Bureau of Justice shows that the actual number of offenses is estimated to be closer to 30,000 each year; and
WHEREAS, According to the Department of Justice, less than 5% of rape victims attending college report their attack to law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Despite evidence of the problem, 41 percent of colleges and universities recently surveyed have not conducted a single investigation of sexual violence on their campus in the last five years; and
WHEREAS, Currently, 101 universities are under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for alleged violations of Title IX related to the handling of sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, Title IX states that "colleges and universities have a legal obligation to provide an environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities." Sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, is a form of sexual discrimination prohibited under Title IX; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance of addressing sexual violence and the need to take all possible steps to prevent sexual assaults from occurring while simultaneously creating safe, secure and streamlined reporting policies for the victims of sexual assault.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners urges Congress to pass the bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act that establishes new campus resources and support services for student survivors, requires fairness in campus disciplinary process, ensures minimum training standards for on-campus personnel, creates new transparency requirements, requires better accountability and coordination with local law enforcement and has enforceable Title IX penalties and stiffer penalties for Cleary Act Violations.
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