Zonta International is a global organization of individuals dedicated to building a better world for women and girls. The Zonta USA Advocacy Action Center is a tool for our members in the United States and other individuals who share our commitment to gender equality to take action to improve the lives of women and girls. With your help, we can make a difference. In addition to the actions below, click here to support our joint efforts with UNICEF USA to end child marriage in the United States.
Campus sexual assault makes up the greatest proportion (43%) of total on-campus crimes in the United States, resulting in approximately eight forcible sex offenses per 10,000 students. Rates of sexual assault victimization are particularly high among female students at 25% of college students. Women in their first year have reportedly been at the highest risk for sexual assault compared to other college women after their first year, including drug-and-alcohol facilitated sexual assault as well as attempted or completed forcible rape.
Research has found that the odds of lifetime diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression increased by two to four times based on having experienced rape. Additionally, college women who experienced sexual assault during their first semester of college were associated with elevated rates of clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and depression. This puts women at a higher risk of incompletion of higher education. The bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act (H.R.9264 & S.4962), introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) would increase reporting requirements and address the preventative actions taking place on campuses as well as survivor care.
The bill would improve the way institutions address and report incidents of sexual assault that take place on their campuses, and it would protect both survivors and accused students by ensuring that schools have a uniform and fair process for investigating and conducting campus disciplinary proceedings. Additionally, it would create new resources and support services for survivors and set new notification requirements for both survivors and accused students involved in the campus disciplinary process.
“One in five women and one in sixteen men experience sexual assault on college campuses. Due to stigma and complex systems, many survivors don’t report sexual violence, much less pursue justice through their university’s system, and many perpetrators are never held accountable. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill with my colleagues to increase transparency, provide resources for survivors, and reduce barriers in the reporting process," said Rep. Khanna.
"Students can't learn if they don't feel safe. Sexual harassment, sexual violence, and stalking are widespread issues on college campuses, and survivors of these traumas must have access to resources to support them and hold abusers accountable. I'm proud to co-lead this effort to make our colleges a safer place for all," said Rep. Frankel (D-FL).
Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your representative and senators to co-sponsor and support the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (H.R. 9264 and S. 4962) bill. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.