Colleges receiving federal student aid would designate sexual assault advocates

Each covered college would appoint an advocate with experience and proven ability to help sexual assault survivors. The requirement would cover colleges receiving federal student aid under Title IV. The advocate would report outside the office that investigates and decides assault complaints. The college could not punish the advocate for putting a student survivor’s interests first. The education secretary would issue appointment rules within 180 days after enactment.

Advocates would arrange 24-hour emergency care, medical evidence exams, and police-reporting information, plus counseling and other support. Services would cover sexual assault survivors at colleges receiving federal student aid. Survivors must consent to services. Follow-up medical care would be available on request. Services would be on campus with community groups’ input or at a community organization within a reasonable distance under an agreement that includes transportation.

Advocates would protect privacy, and survivors could not be punished for reporting a sexual assault to them. The protections would cover sexual assault survivors at colleges receiving federal student aid. Privacy would also cover witnesses. Disclosure would be required when applicable law in the state where the college is located requires it.