Senate Passes SB 679, Mandates Sexual Assault Prevention Education for Higher Education Institutions

Contact Name: Sara Persechino

Phone: (603) 271-3479

Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us

CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 679 which mandates higher education institutions to adopt comprehensive policies and procedures in relation to sexual assault including educational information, awareness programming, confidential resources, and more. All programs and positions enacted by the institution would be aimed at combating sexual assault and violence on campus.

After the vote, prime sponsor Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) issued the following statement:

“We are more aware than ever of the destructive and frequent nature of sexual assault on campuses and in our communities. In New Hampshire, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 20 men have been assaulted and 83% of those assaults happen before the victim is 25. We know that sexual assault is statistically the violent crime least likely to be reported, meaning victims are living in silence. No student should feel unsafe while walking through campus. When we open up the dialogue between students and the larger university community and provide prevention resources and education, we are working towards a safer education for all.”

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