In 2024, members of the Cornell University Chi Phi fraternity sexually assaulted Cornell student Jane Doe.  Still others knew of the attacks or stopped by the room and failed to intervene. These criminal acts were further compounded by Cornell's failure to report the attacks to the local authorities in Ithaca, New York, for formal investigation.  

Unfortunately, this case is not an isolated incident. Many sexual and violent crimes on college campuses go unreported to local police and are inadequately handled internally by the institutions themselves, which lack the specialized training and resources to properly investigate such matters. There is an urgent need to address this issue and protect students by ensuring that all cases are investigated by trained professionals.

The statistics are alarming. According to the Association of American Universities (AAU), as much as 32% of women undergraduates in surveyed institutions  experienced nonconsensual sexual contact by physical force or inability to consent  during their college years. Colleges and universities do not have the resources or expertise to deal with these incidents appropriately. By requiring these institutions to report such crimes directly to local law enforcement, we can ensure that they are  investigated by  law enforcement professionals experienced in handling them.  and that perpetrators can be held accountable.

We propose a state-wide mandate in New York requiring all colleges and universities to report any allegations of sexual and violent crimes to local police departments. This mandate would prioritize victims' rights, foster transparency, and promote a safer environment across college campuses.

Please join us in urging the New York State government to enforce mandatory reporting of sexual and violent crimes to local police by signing this petition. Let us work together to insist that men be held accountable for attacking women on college campuses and reject the culture of sweeping violence under the rug.