Alphi Phi Sorority Takes Sexual Assault Survivor Advocates' Side in Opposing Safe Campus Act
BySexual assault survivor advocates that oppose the Safe Campus Act (SCA) found an unexpected ally in the Alpha Phi sorority.
Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) introduced the SCA in July and the bill would block colleges and universities from conducting their own investigations into sexual assault complaints by mandating schools to pass such cases over to local law enforcement.
About two weeks ago, the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women organized a group of 220 sexual assault survivor advocate groups that formally opposed the bill in a letter to the House of Representatives.
Conversely, the North-American Interfraternity Conference, a group that represents 74 U.S. fraternities, publicly supports the SCA. However, The Huffington Post noted the group apparently does not want to be so overt in their support.
On Thursday, the Alpha Phi national organization became the first sorority to oppose the SCA.
"We believe our sisters who are survivors should have choices in how, when and to whom they go to for support or to report the crime," Alpha Phi said in a statement obtained by The HP. "They should have their own voice and the support and encouragement they need to move forward including reporting as they choose to."
The main concerns with the SCA is that student sexual assault survivors may be discouraged from reporting their complaints if they know they will have to cooperate with the police. In some cases, students subjected to sexual assault are reluctant even to enter a campus crisis center and tell a counselor about what happened to them.
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) have been on the forefront of promoting legislation that would reform how schools handle sexual assault. Both former sorority members, they also have backed legislation increasing punishment for schools found to be in violation of Title IX and the Clery Act.
"I'm happy to see Alpha Phi become the first sorority not to support a bill that would weaken schools' ability to adjudicate sexual assault on their campuses and undermine safety for survivors," McCaskill told The HP. "Last week I urged the national sorority and fraternity groups to drop their support for that legislation, and I'm hopeful this opposition sends a clear message that their sororities do not support it."
