Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 763
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-23: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-02T19:44:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 763) expresses the support of the U.S. House of Representatives for designating September 2025 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The purpose is to highlight the prevalence and challenges of sexual assault on college campuses, particularly during the early months of the academic year, and to promote awareness, prevention, and better responses to such incidents.
Key Provisions
- Background on Risks and Statistics: The resolution outlines various facts about campus sexual assaults, including:
- Higher risks for freshmen and sophomores, especially in the first few months of school (over 50% occur in August through November).
- Many assaults involve incapacitation (e.g., due to drugs or alcohol) and are committed by known individuals.
- Low reporting rates (less than 12% of rapes or attempted rapes are reported to authorities).
- Survivors often confide in friends rather than officials, due to fears of reprisal, poor treatment, or lack of knowledge about reporting.
- Gaps in College Responses: It notes deficiencies in campus policies and training, such as:
- 10% of colleges lacking confidential reporting options.
- 22% without training for faculty and staff on sexual assault response.
- 41% that have not investigated any assaults in the last 5 years.
- Limited access to specialized medical examiners (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) and inadequate coordination with local law enforcement (70% of colleges lack protocols).
- Issues like untrained adjudicators, student involvement in hearings (raising privacy concerns), and athletic department oversight in athlete cases.
- Outcomes and Broader Effects: Highlights low accountability (only 10-25% of perpetrators expelled; less than 7% of reported cases lead to criminal charges) and impacts on survivors (e.g., changing majors, housing, or dropping classes).
- Policy Context: Mentions that only 7 states require "affirmative consent" policies (where explicit agreement is needed for sexual activity) and emphasizes September 2025 as a timely month for awareness, coinciding with students returning to campus.
- Core Action: The House resolves to support the designation of September 2025 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or regulations. It serves as a symbolic statement of congressional support rather than enacting new mandates.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could increase public awareness of campus sexual assault risks, encouraging better education, reporting, and support for survivors, particularly college students. It may empower students and families to advocate for improved campus policies.
- On Government Agencies and Institutions: May indirectly prompt colleges and universities to review and enhance their training, reporting protocols, and coordination with law enforcement. Federal agencies like the Department of Education could see heightened scrutiny on compliance with existing Title IX rules (federal protections against sex-based discrimination in education).
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic awareness initiative focused on U.S. colleges.
- Broader Effects: By spotlighting statistics and gaps, it could foster voluntary improvements in campus safety without legal force, potentially reducing assaults through prevention efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- College Students and Survivors: Primary focus, as they face the risks and consequences of sexual assaults.
- Educational Institutions: Colleges and universities, which are called out for policy and training shortcomings and may feel pressure to improve responses.
- Law Enforcement and Campus Officials: Including campus police, faculty, staff, and adjudicators, who need better training and protocols.
- Advocacy Groups and State Governments: Organizations focused on sexual violence prevention and the 7 states with affirmative consent laws may use this for further advocacy.
- Federal Government: The House of Representatives and Department of Education, through symbolic endorsement and oversight of campus compliance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: No enforceable changes; it reinforces existing frameworks like Title IX but does not alter them. It highlights potential civil rights issues in campus handling of assaults without creating new liabilities.
- Constitutional: Aligns with free speech and equal protection principles by promoting awareness without restricting rights. No First Amendment or due process concerns arise, as it's advisory.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan or consensus support for addressing sexual violence (introduced by Rep. Norton and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform). It could influence future legislation on campus safety but carries symbolic weight, potentially galvanizing public and institutional action amid ongoing debates on student privacy versus accountability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-23: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-09-23: Submitted in House
- 2025-09-23: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month. — issued 2025-09-23 — PDF (4 pages)