Campus police would be required to notify their local commonwealth’s attorney within 48 hours of starting a sexual assault investigation under a bill that’s been introduced at the General Assembly. Several measures have been proposed since November, when Rolling Stone magazine published allegations of rape at the University of Virginia. This bill was first introduced several years ago to make public college campuses safer and help victims obtain essential support.
In 2012, the U.S. had 3,900 reported campus sexual assaults, but federal estimates say 80 percent of such assaults go unreported. Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Doucette says under the bill, each prosecutor’s office could provide more help.
“Our victim-witness advocates can provide timely counseling and can educate a victim about her or his options in going forward with the criminal prosecution.”
Supporters say the bill would make it more unlikely for college officials to address allegations administratively. Gil Harrington, the mother of a murdered Virginia Tech student, says the justice system is predicated on equal justice for all-
“Unless you happen to be a college student. Then there is an alternative, parallel, separate but equal system.”
The bill applies only to assaults ON campus.
