NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “Enough is Enough” statewide campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses was the focus of a highly informative discussion held today by New York Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Hochul at The College of New Rochelle.
In an exclusive meeting with CNR students, faculty, and administrators, Lt. Governor Hochul spoke about the need to raise awareness of sexual assault on campuses, educate students about the Governor’s important new prevention policies, and petition lawmakers for passage of the legislation.
Governor Cuomo is lobbying to have statewide legislation require the same safeguards, already active on SUNY campuses, in place at all colleges and universities statewide by the fall. The key elements of the prevention proposal stress the importance of a uniform policy on all college campuses to align expectations and ensure consistent enforcement. The key elements include: a statewide definition of affirmative consent, a statewide amnesty policy, a Sexual Violence Survivor Bill of Rights, and comprehensive training requirements for administrators, staff, and students.
“Consistent statewide prevention and response policies are important elements of the Governor’s plans designed to provide a safe learning and living environment. According to the U.S. Department of Education, fewer than 5 percent of sexual assaults of college women are being reported. I truly believe that bringing justice will also bring about healing,” said Judith Huntington, President of The College of New Rochelle. “As a Catholic women’s college, we are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to engage in a dialogue about Governor Cuomo’s important initiative to prevent sexual assault on college campuses.”
The amnesty and affirmative consent policies outlined in the legislation particularly resonated with students. “The amnesty aspect is so important for students who need to know that there will be no repercussion if they come forward with information about a sexual assault,” said CNR student Tish Manderson SAS’15. The amnesty policy ensures that students reporting incidents of sexual assault or other sexual violence are granted immunity for certain campus policy violations.
In reference to the affirmative consent policy, Claudia Benitez SAS’16, Student Government Association President, said, “Men and women need to know they have a right to say no.” Affirmative consent is defined as a clear, unambiguous, and voluntary agreement between the participants to engage in a specific sexual activity.
“Students need to know that an assault can happen to anyone, that there are support options in place within the community and law enforcement, and that their college will protect them. The Governor has set up a state police hotline with specially trained counselors. Colleges should distribute information and professors and advisors who students might reach out to should be trained to help,” said Hochul.
“The hotline is such a good idea because students can get help and don’t have to be scared about revealing their identity,” said CNR student Maria Perez SAS’18.
Michelle Goyke SAS’16, editor of Tatler student newspaper, noted, “If there are pamphlets distributed and students don’t read them, then no information will be dispersed. Education is so important to this issue so we really need to get the students actively involved and educate students to raise awareness of this policy.”
Hochul encouraged students to use the “Enough is Enough” video, make one of their own, harness the power of social media to engage the campus in a discussion of the sexual assault policy, and push for the legislation in Albany.
