Throughout the last few months, SAFER has had the privilege of working closely with members of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s and Senator Claire McCaskill’s staff to develop survivor-centric legislation aimed at reducing campus sexual assault and holding colleges and universities accountable to federal laws designed to regulate institutional treatment of survivors.

Yesterday, Senator Gillibrand, Senator McCaskill, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Heller, Senator Rubio, Senator Grassley and Senator Ayotte announced The Campus Accountability and Safety Act, (the CASAct) a bipartisan bill to combat campus sexual violence, support survivors, and hold colleges and universities accountable to their students and to federal law.

The bill, if passed, will mandate national climate surveys of college students on their experiences with campus sexual assault, increase fines for violating the Clery Act, change penalties for Title IX violations, require more disclosure on the part of the Department of Education on investigations it conducts under Title IX, establish mandatory confidential advisor positions for all institutions, and require institutions to form memorandums of understanding with local law enforcement. Throughout the bill, a focus on establishing trauma-informed systems at institutions of higher education remains prominent. Additionally, the language and content of the bill reinforces Senator Gillibrand and Senator McCaskill’s commitment to centering survivor needs.

SAFER was pleased see to see that the CASAct did not include mandatory reporting of campus sexual assaults to local law enforcement. Mandatory notification to law enforcement would have a chilling effect on reporting, which would reduce the identification of offenders, create barriers for survivors to access support services, and prevent survivors from achieving justice in ways most comfortable for them.

It is clear that SAFER’s input was heard and integrated into the CASAct, a bill that we believe is an important and positive step forward in the movement to combat campus sexual violence and to support survivors. 

It is our hope that the CASAct will become law and require colleges and universities to adopt survivor-centric policies and procedures that reduce campus sexual violence and support those students who have been affected by sexual assault. At the same time, SAFER knows there is more reform work to be done, and believes the bill will inspire the continued work of the already empowered community of student sexual violence prevention activists returning to campus this fall.

SAFER looks forward to our continued involvement in the legislative process surrounding The Campus Accountability and Safety Act and will remain vigilant in our support of campus sexual assault survivors and their allies.

A message from outgoing Board Chair, Selena Shen,

I first joined the SAFER’s Board of Directors more than three and a half years ago. At the time, the organization was brimming with excitement over the Dear Colleague letter and the prospect of the Campus SaVE Act.

Over time, the national dialogue around campus sexual assault has grown, evolved and become increasingly thoughtful and nuanced. I am so proud that SAFER has been an integral part of this evolution. But even more importantly, I am proud of the students that have elevated the conversation to the national spotlight and underscored the indispensability of the student voice.

Time and time again, student activists have shown sophistication in their message, collaboration in their organizing and resilience in the face of adversity. Now, we are at a watershed moment catalyzed by students on the ground, who are living the realities of campus sexual assault every day.

SAFER was built on the principle that all students have the right to a safe campus. Since the organization’s founding, we have solidified ourselves as the go-to experts on student organizing, campus policy and grassroots activism. As I step down as SAFER’s Board Chair and from its Board of Directors, I am deeply honored and humbled to have had the unique privilege to work alongside the most groundbreaking advocates in the country, and am electrified by the national momentum to create violence-free campuses for all.

Thank you,
Selena Shen

A message from incoming Board Chair, Tracey E. Vitchers

It is with both sadness and excitement that I step into the role of Board Chair for SAFER. Our outgoing Chair, Selena Shen, is a tremendous leader, activist and friend whose guidance and support will continue to drive SAFER forward in the months and years to come. And, it is with much excitement that I will continue to be a part of the SAFER journey in my new role as Board Chair.

When I joined the SAFER Board of Directors in the fall of 2012 as Communications Coordinator I could not have foreseen the wave of national student activism that would build over the next two years, bringing the epidemic of campus sexual assault to forefront of discussions at The White House, Congress, the mainstream media and colleges and universities across the country. It has been humbling to watch as countless survivors have stood up and spoken out about their assaults and against the mistreatment they faced by college administrators in an inspiring effort to demand change.

Since its founding at Columbia University by student activists in 2000, it has been with great privilege that SAFER has played an integral role in supporting the student activists across the country who have lobbied their their institutions and their government for change. I look forward to working with our passionate and dedicated Board of Directors to continue to support student anti-sexual violence activists to create change on campuses across the nation.

I look forward to continuing our journey together.

In solidarity,

Tracey E. Vitchers