Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Joins 'Enough is Enough' Campaign'

Backs Push for Passage of Governor Cuomo's Policy to
Combat Sexual Assault on College and University Campuses

House of Representatives Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is joining the Enough is Enough campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses. House Democratic Leader Pelosi’s support reflects the pressure that is building across the country to end this epidemic and highlights the leadership role New York is taking in this fight. 

The wide-ranging, statewide campaign is pushing for passage of the Governor’s legislation requiring all colleges and universities in New York to implement uniform sexual assault prevention and response protocols. Once law, this policy will solidify New York’s role as a national leader in the fight against on-campus sexual violence and better protect the state's 1.2 million college students. 

Governor Cuomo and House Democratic Leader Pelosi today were joined by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Fashion Institute of Technology President Dr. Joyce Brown, and Jessica Accardi, a junior at FIT who serves as both a leader in FIT’s student government and a resident assistant on campus.

“Sexual assault and rape have reached epidemic proportions in society today, and we must do more to end this violence, especially on college campuses where it is all too prevalent,” Governor Cuomo said.

“Whether an assault occurs at a public university or a private college, it is a crime and should be treated as such, and the legislature must pass our proposal to make that a reality. New York can lead the way on this issue and set the standard for the nation, so that all students are protected and supported, and we must do it this year – because enough is enough.”

“Too many women are sexually assaulted while in college and our country is facing an all-hands-on-deck epidemic," said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

"My home state of California was the first to proudly adopt 'yes-means-yes' legislation, and Governor Cuomo's proposal takes an even stronger step for New York with bold action to help protect all college students from sexual assault. I was proud to join Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Hochul to say: enough is enough."

House Democratic Leader Pelosi’s support for Enough is Enough builds on a growing effort to pass the Governor’s on-campus sexual assault prevention and response policy in the remaining six weeks of the current legislative session.

Since Governor Cuomo launched the campaign in February, an array of public officials, organizations and community groups have pledged their support, including:

· A growing coalition of private colleges and universities across the state;
· 17 of 18 county executives statewide;
· Whoopi Goldberg, who also filmed a video for the campaign;
· More than 40 city mayors from across the state;
· More than 100 elected officials from across the state;
· Nearly 20 members of New York’s Congressional Delegation;
· More than 50 statewide and local organizations;
· 28 public safety officials from across the state; and
· Student advocates from Barnard College and Syracuse, Columbia, Fordham and New York Universities.

To promote the campaign and the importance of passing the Governor’s proposal this year, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul has toured the state to bring “Enough is Enough” to college campuses across New York. That tour is ongoing as she continues to meet with members of the student body, faculty and administration as well as service providers and advocates for survivors of rape and sexual assault.

As part of the campaign, the New York State Police created a hotline dedicated to responding to reports of sexual violence on college and university campuses. The hotline is operated by specially-trained members of the State Police who are on-call 24 hours a day to respond to sexual assault calls throughout the state.

The campaign also includes a website, www.ny.gov/EnoughisEnough, and a video featuring students, advocates and elected officials advocating for the passage of the Governor’s legislation.

Governor Cuomo’s on-campus sexual assault prevention and response policy includes the following components:

· A statewide definition of affirmative consent, defining consent as a clear, unambiguous, and voluntary agreement between the participants to engage in specific sexual activity;
· A statewide amnesty policy, to ensure that students reporting incidents of sexual assault or other sexual violence are granted immunity for certain campus policy violations, such as drug and alcohol use;
· A Sexual Violence Victim/Survivor Bill of Rights, which campuses will be required to distribute to all students in order to specifically inform sexual violence victims of their legal rights and how they may access appropriate resources. The Bill of Rights clearly states that students are given the right to know they can report sexual assaults to outside law enforcement, including the State Police;
· Comprehensive training requirements for administrators, staff, and students, including at new student orientations.