Yesterday, California’s Governor signed SB 967, an important piece of legislation that will require California colleges, universities, and community colleges to develop survivor-centered policies for addressing sexual assault on campus.

Senator Kevin de Leon and Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson announcing SB 967 with students in Feb. 2014.

Senator Kevin de Leon and Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson announcing SB 967 with students in Feb. 2014.

Over the past months, CALCASA has worked closely with the author of SB 967, Senator Kevin de Leon, to ensure that student survivors have access to confidential resources and that campuses are linked with the locally-based rape crisis center for counseling and other services. Other important provisions of the legislation include the development of comprehensive prevention programs and an affirmative consent standard.
We are very pleased with Governor Brown’s leadership requiring California college campuses to develop systems, responses, and policies that support student survivors in a transparent and comprehensive manner. SB 967 will set a precedent for other states that may consider implementing legislation for developing survivor-centered policies as campus sexual violence plays out on a national stage.

CALCASA has served as a national leader on campus violence (sexual, dating, domestic, and stalking) via our work with the Office of Violence Against Women and the Centers for Disease Control in supporting the work of communities and institutions in addressing and preventing sexual violence on college campuses. CALCASA works to develop legislative and systems policy changes that support survivors and increase the capacity of institutions and community partners. Our local, national and international work with victims, students, colleges and universities informs our advocacy on policy changes and capacity development for programs, always keeping at the forefront what is best for survivors.