Campaign against sexual assault on campus launched in New York

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo threw another punch Wednesday in the battle against campus sex assaults.

Cuomo launched the state’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign, an initiative that highlight a new law against sex crimes.

“New York is the progressive capital of the nation, and we are proud to take on tough issues like changing the culture and mindset surrounding sexual violence on college campuses,” Gov Cuomo said at New York University Wednesday morning. “That is why this law is so important, and every freshman or returning student should know the rules of behavior have changed. These situations are not just a violation of school policy or ethics: they are crimes, and every student should know they have more rights than before.”

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul together with Special Advisor Christine Quinn will be visiting campuses to distribute informational cards for the program, Cuomo said.

The state police also created the new Sexual Assault Victims Unit to provide assistance to victims of sexual crimes, as well as train schools and local police departments on the new law.

They will use Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to make sure that evidence is well documented and handled properly.

The new law supporting the ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign will require all colleges to adopt comprehensive guidelines and including a uniform definition of affirmative consent.

“I am proud to say that our state now has the toughest law in the country relating to campus rape, Quinn said. “Our challenge now is to make sure that students know their rights and schools know what is expected of them.”

The law is the first of its kind in the nation and was signed by the Governor in July.

To report a sexual assault on a New York college campus to the State Police, call the dedicated 24-hour hotline at 1-844-845-7269.