Currently, students have to choose between legal advice and emotional support during the Title IX process. We think they should have the right to both.  

AB 1928: The Student Counsel and Care Act

Introduced by Assembly Member Fong (Principal coauthor: Senator Cortese)

Bill Text: https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB1928/2025

Our ask: Amend California Code, Education Code - EDC § 66281.8 to allow for students to have access to both a support person AND an advisor throughout Title IX proceedings, rather than forcing students to choose between legal advice and emotional support. 

What it means: Under California law and Federal Title IX regulations, colleges are only required to let one person accompany students in Title IX proceedings: a support person or an advisor. As a result, the majority of institutions of higher education in California restrict students to one or the other. An advisor is typically someone who can provide legal support, while a support person is often a family member, friend or trauma-informed advocate. These are drastically different roles. However, we currently force survivors to make an impossible choice between legal counsel and emotional support. The solution is simple: let them have both. The UC system already has these measures in place, so it is time for all institutions of higher education in California to allow for these better supportive measures to take place.

The cost: Most likely 0$.

Why it matters: Nearly one in four undergraduate women and gender-nonconforming students will experience sexual violence during their time on campus. However, according to a report by the Association of American Universities, only 3% of students who experienced sexual violence or harassment contacted their Title IX office. Why are so few students being heard despite high rates of sexual violence? One explanation for a lack of reporting is that students often avoid the Title IX system due to the process itself being retraumatizing. It can be unbearable to make survivors relive the worst moments of their lives in a setting that offers little emotional protection.  Research from RAINN shows that survivors of sexual violence face elevated risks of PTSD, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and self-harm long after an assault. We should give survivors access to the care they deserve throughout the Title IX process, and we can start to do that through this proposal. Please reach out to us if you would like to get involved!

Who is behind this petition: We are students from Stanford Law's Campus Survivor Pro Bono Project, which provides free legal representation for survivors at universities at any stage of the Title IX process. Through our work, we saw just how much of a difference it makes when survivors have a team behind them. We also have seen just how emotionally draining this process can be. That's why we wrote this change to the California Educational Code, and we hope that you can show your support by signing this petition.  

Can I provide anonymous testimony of my Title IX experience? Yes!

Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Mg5uqNtZkvJzpCEk8

No identifying information will be required. We would love to be able to share with legislators as they consider voting on this proposal. 

Please sign on to show your support! Thank you!

Sources:

https://rainn.org/facts-statistics-the-scope-of-the-problem/statistics-campus-sexual-violence/

https://www.aau.edu/sites/default/files/AAU-Files/Key-Issues/Campus-Safety/Revised%20Aggregate%20report%20%20and%20appendices%201-7_%2801-16-2020_FINAL%29.pdf

https://www.crimrxiv.com/pub/yjz0tzaf/release/1

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/title-ix-anniversary-reform-protests-princeton-university/

https://rainn.org/statistics-the-long-term-impacts-of-sexual-violence/

https://www.survivorsprobono.com/policy-work