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Utah Sexual Assault Bill Could Harm Victims

brownpoliticalreview.org
"Don't Rape" Protest Sign

A Utah lawmaker is gearing up to run a bill that could require colleges give amnesty to sexual assault victims for conduct code violations related to alcohol and drugs and allow school officials to report serious assaults to police.

But a sexual assault survivor and an advocacy group are pushing back against the measure, saying it wouldn't stop schools from investigating many sexual assault victims.

Turner Bitton, of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, says many assaults don't involve alcohol and drugs. He says the measure also could result in fewer victims reporting assaults to their school because they don't want officials going to law enforcement.

Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Kim Coleman says the measure is meant to make sure institutions are taking the right steps to reduce these crimes.