Legislation inspired by the LSU sexual misconduct scandal mandating higher ed employees properly report known incidents of “power-based violence” is headed to the Senate floor. Power-based violence is defined as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
The sweeping bill also covers everything from mandatory awareness training to establishing what must be documented related to those cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow said while the scandal at LSU may have prompted this bill, this problem isn’t unique to that institution.
“While we cannot legislate hearts, what we can do is legislate behavior,” said Barrow. “We want to address the culture that has existed.”
Higher ed officials came out in support of the legislation. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed spoke at the Legislative committee that approved the legislation unanimously.
“This legislation is vital in the continuous steps that we must take to address systemic failure, and to make sure that as a collective higher education in this state provides a safe and welcoming learning environment,” said Reed.
Among the many items included in the bill is a mandate that all suspected cases of power-based violence must be reported specifically to the school’s Title Nine Office, along with the establishment of “confidential advisors” who receive specialized training in the handling of those reports.
LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan said this legislation is vital for restoring student trust.
“We would not exist if it were not for our students, and we will never forget that. We are there to teach our students, and they cannot learn unless they are safe,” said Galligan.
Under the bill the chancellor of a Louisiana higher education institution must, each fall and spring semester, submit a detailed report on incidents of power-based violence to the Board of Supervisors, and post that report online. The report shall not identify any individuals involved.
Comments