MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Legislative leaders and victim advocates are taking a stand. To make sure students all across Vermont feel safe on their college campus.
“They seem to think that sexual harm is not an issue on our campus, and it very much is,” said UVM Sophomore Chloe Post.
Post is staying informed on the discussion surrounding Senate Bill 120. It focuses on protections and resources for sexual misconduct, which Post believes is needed at UVM.
“I know too many people who have experienced sexual harm on this campus. The least we can do is make sure people don’t have to have classes with their assaulters,” said Post.
The bill would, in part, require all colleges in Vermont to provide confidential advocacy support to students, ensure amnesty protection when making reports, provide staff with comprehensive annual training, and ensure each college has a representative with the inter-collegiate sexual harm prevention council.
Officials at UVM say the school is already doing the majority of things proposed in the legislation.
“We will, probably over the summer, be looking at greater detail of how can we beef up our efforts. What I would like to see is a continued commitment to make sure those resources are available,” said Elliot Ruggles, Sexual Violence Prevention Education Coordinator.
According to UVM, between July 1st, 2022, and June 30th, 2023, the school received over 200 reports related to sexual harassment and misconduct. Many include sexual assaults, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, or relationship violence.
Advocates like the Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence encourage enhancing support for students on campuses across Vermont.
“Sexual assaults on college campuses are unfortunately a reality for many students across Vermont and the Nation. The number of sexual assaults that happen are far greater than those that are ever reported,” said Sarah Robinson of the Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence.
The House Committee on Education will be taking up the bill sometime this week.