Rep. Noem: Protect College Students From Sexual Assault

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By Ramsey Cox

Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) called on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that aims to curb sexual assaults on college campuses.

"Schools have taken great strides in recent years to improve education and awareness on campuses to help guard students from putting themselves in a dangerous situation," Noem said Monday. "There is more that can and should be done, however."

Noem cited Department of Justice statistics that say 20 percent of college-age women and one in 16 college-age men are targets of sexual assault or an attempt while in college.

"Today's college culture can sometimes put good kids in bad situations," Noem said.

Noem is a sponsor of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, which penalizes colleges if they don't comply with training and reporting requirements.

"If passed, colleges and universities would need to designate Confidential Advisors to serve as a resource for victims," Noem said. "We've also created minimum training standards for on-campus personnel to ensure they are equipped to handle investigations and the disciplinary process as well as included stronger accountability provisions."

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