Statement from Jess Davidson, Executive Director of End Rape on Campus:
“Today Representative Jackie Speier will reintroduce the HALT Act—the Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency on Campus Sexual Violence Act—joined by End Rape on Campus (EROC) advocates. This piece of legislation is dedicated to supporting students and closing gaps in a system that disproportionately harms survivors facing systemic barriers. I am thrilled that this piece of legislation also has a focus on prevention and puts the onus of dismantling rape culture on systems and schools—not on survivors. The HALT Act strengthens prevention efforts and brings oversight to administrators by improving public disclosure of schools under investigation; requiring climate surveys; ensuring public accessibility of policies aimed at prevention of sexual violence; and creating a Campus Sexual Violence Task Force.
“Survivors’ voices are roaring from activism in our schools and local communities all the way to Capitol Hill. Ending sexual violence needs to be a national priority and this piece of legislation is proof we are being heard. Together, we can create a world free from sexual violence, and the HALT Act is an integral piece of legislation as we get there.”
