Murray on Campus Sexual Assault: “The Status Quo Is Completely Unacceptable”

Murray: “Simply put, in colleges and universities across the country, basic human rights are being violated.”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a HELP Committee hearing on Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: Combating Campus Sexual Assault. In her remarks, Murray discussed the fact that sexual violence on campus is a widespread, growing, and unacceptable problem, and expressed her view that the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is a critical opportunity to combat sexual assault and ensure safer campus climates for all students.

Key excerpts from Senator Murray’s remarks:

“I’ve said before that higher education is an important pathway to the middle class. It’s an opportunity for students to grow personally and to develop skills that will prepare them to succeed in today’s economy. With all of that to focus on—the last thing a student should have to worry about is whether they are safe on campus. But the harsh reality is that one out of five women is sexually assaulted in college—and men as well. In 2013 alone, college campuses reported 5,000 forcible sex offenses—and a recent study indicated that number could be much greater. So there should be no question that sexual violence on campus is a widespread, growing, and unacceptable problem. Simply put, in colleges and universities across the country, basic human rights are being violated.”

“I see our conversation about reauthorizing the Higher Education Act as a critical opportunity for continued—and urgently needed—progress. I’m pleased that key Senate leaders are here to discuss their Campus Accountability and Safety Act, legislation that would take steps to improve campus climate by requiring far greater transparency about the prevalence of campus sexual assault, put in place key protections for survivors, improve coordination with law enforcement, and impose harsher penalties on schools that aren’t meeting requirements.”

“As a mother, a grandmother, and a United States Senator, I certainly want to know that when a student is attacked, her school and community will be ready to respond with compassion, respect, and accountability. But I think we can all agree that we need to do everything we can to engage students and schools so that sexual assaults don’t happen in the first place.”

“A country that values women—and all individuals—is stronger for it. So we all need to do our part to keep this conversation going. And we need to make it louder. We have done far too little in Congress over the years to support survivors—and to be a voice for women across the country—daughters and granddaughters—who are counting on us. So I’m glad that Chairman Alexander and I agree that the HELP committee needs to join the debate on campus sexual assault much more fully.” 

 Full text of Senator Murray’s remarks:

“Thank you, Senator Collins.

“And thank you to all our witnesses—who represent such a wide array of perspectives—for taking the time to join us.

“I especially want to thank Senators McCaskill, Heller, Gillibrand, and Ayotte for being here.

“Fighting back against campus sexual assault and violence requires coordination, input, and focus at every level.

“So I’m grateful that all of our witnesses are here to discuss their work.

“I’ve said before that higher education is an important pathway to the middle class.

“It’s an opportunity for students to grow personally and to develop skills that will prepare them to succeed in today’s economy.

“With all of that to focus on—the last thing a student should have to worry about is whether they are safe on campus.

“But the harsh reality is that one out of five women is sexually assaulted in college—and men as well.

“In 2013 alone, college campuses reported 5,000 forcible sex offenses—and a recent study indicated that number could be much greater.

“So there should be no question that sexual violence on campus is a widespread, growing, and unacceptable problem.

“Simply put, in colleges and universities across the country, basic human rights are being violated.

“And all too often, current systems and campus climates encourage under-reporting rather than action.

“As we talk about the seriousness of this problem, it’s important to acknowledge the work already underway to address it.

“Survivors like Ms. Dana Bolger, who is a witness on our second panel, have bravely stepped up to make clear they expect far better from their schools and their communities.

“In doing so, they’ve forced a national conversation and they have shown other survivors that they are not alone.

“President Napolitano, Ms. Flounlacker, and other university leaders have made fighting campus sexual assault a top priority.

“They have developed new partnerships between schools, communities, and law enforcement to coordinate and improve response, and taken important steps to focus on prevention and improve compliance with the Clery Act—which is something Ms. Stafford has worked on closely.

“Just last month, thanks to the work of many here today including Senator Casey, regulations went into effect as part of the Violence Against Women Act of 2013, that will require schools to increase transparency about sexual violence and assault and strengthen prevention efforts.

“These are critical steps but without question there is much, much more to be done.

“I see our conversation about reauthorizing the Higher Education Act as a critical opportunity for continued—and urgently needed—progress.

“I’m pleased that key Senate leaders are here to discuss their Campus Accountability and Safety Act, legislation that would take steps to improve campus climate by requiring far greater transparency about the prevalence of campus sexual assault, put in place key protections for survivors, improve coordination with law enforcement, and impose harsher penalties on schools that aren’t meeting requirements.

“As a mother, a grandmother, and a United States Senator, I certainly want to know that when a student is attacked, her school and community will be ready to respond with compassion, respect, and accountability.

“But I think we can all agree that we need to do everything we can to engage students and schools so that sexual assaults don’t happen in the first place.

“Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts, has identified campus sexual assault as a public health issue,  and has shown that sustained, comprehensive education programs can help prevent sexual assault, especially by preparing students to fight back against the damaging myths that surround rape and assault.

“And efforts to encourage bystander intervention can help break down social norms that implicitly sanction sexual violence. I’m eager to hear from all our witnesses about programs and policies aimed at prevention.

“But of course—as much as more effective programs and requirements can make a huge difference—we can’t expect to fix this problem just by changing the rules.

“We have to do something much more difficult. We have to change culture.

“For example, just a few years ago Ms. Bolger brought to light the fact that at her alma mater, Amherst College, a fraternity had printed T-shirts depicting a woman being roasted on a spit like a pig. Those students went unpunished.

“Take a minute to think about the message that sends to students—male and female—about how much their community values women. And unfortunately, this is just one example of countless to choose from across our country.

“That’s why the national conversation that students like Ms. Bolger have started—and that other leaders including many here today have stepped up to support—is so absolutely critical.

“A country that values women—and all individuals—is stronger for it. So we all need to do our part to keep this conversation going. And we need to make it louder.

“We have done far too little in Congress over the years to support survivors—and to be a voice for women across the country—daughters and granddaughters—who are counting on us.

“So I’m glad that Chairman Alexander and I agree that the HELP committee needs to join the debate on campus sexual assault much more fully.

“I want to again thank all our witnesses, including our colleagues Senators McCaskill, Heller, Gillibrand, and Ayotte for taking the time to be here today for this discussion…

“And for the work they’ve done along with the many other members, on both sides of the aisle, who are so focused on this fight.

“As we continue our conversation about our country’s higher education system and throughout our work on this committee, we have an opportunity to stand with survivors, make clear the status quo is completely unacceptable, and help continue the conversation about changes we absolutely need to see.

“I’m committed to seizing this opportunity. I know my colleagues are as well—and I look forward to getting to work.”