After increase in assaults on Iowa campuses, Congressman proposes solution on campus sexual assault reform
Washington, D.C. - After recent reports detailing an increase in sexual assault incidents on the campuses of the University of Iowa and Grinnell College, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today suggested that students convicted of sexual assault should be forced to return any federal aid they'd previously received.
"The government shouldn't be subsidizing the education of those committing sexual assault on our college campuses," Braley said. "We need to do whatever is necessary to protect our students and punish those who commit these types of heinous crimes."
Braley's concern comes after an increase in reports of sexual assault at the University of Iowa, where new policies are being implemented and considered to address the issue. Grinnell College also reported this week that sexual assault reports were nearly as high as schools with far higher student populations.
"Sexual assault is a heinous crime and we should not let convicted criminals benefit from aid meant for law abiding citizens," Braley wrote.
Braley has been a long time champion of sexual assault prevention?recently working for reforms to combat that crime in our military. This year, Braley's guest to the State of the Union Address was Anu Bhagwati, Executive Director of the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN)?a group that has been at the center of the national effort to reform the military's handling of military sexual assault.
In 2011, Braley introduced the Holley Lynn James Act--a bill to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the military get justice. The bipartisan bill was named after a constituent of Braley's who was killed by her husband while both were in the service.
A copy of Braley's letter is available below:
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
I am writing to you today regarding the rise of sexual assaults on our nation's college campuses. I am glad to see your enhanced focus on this important issue.
Recently, the University of Iowa along with Grinnell College reported a climb in reports of sexual assaults on campus. Grinnell College, which has a student body of just 1,670 students, had 26 sexual offenses reported between 2010 and 2012. This rise in reporting assaults is prevalent throughout the country. According to a study done by the National Institute of Justice, nearly one in five women will be sexually assaulted in college. A robust and comprehensive plan is needed to combat this issue. One measure that I urge you to consider in that plan would be a clawback of federal student aid received by a student who is convicted of committing a sexual assault on campus. Sexual assault is a heinous crime and we should not let convicted criminals benefit from aid meant for law abiding citizens.
I thank you for your effort to combat this issue and look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Sincerely,
Bruce Braley
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