DeLauro Statement on Association of American Universities Campus Sexual Assault Report

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on a newly released Association of American Universities report showing that more than one in five female undergraduate students at 27 of our nation’s top universities have suffered a sexual attack. Yale University, located in DeLauro’s congressional district, was one of the schools surveyed.

“The results of this report are disturbing and should be a wake-up call to all Americans. According to the report, over one quarter of Yale undergraduates have experienced some form of sexual assault, and nearly one in five has experienced an incident involving force.

“Schools and law enforcement must work together to end this outrage, which happens on campuses across the country. A key part of that is ensuring victims feel comfortable coming forward and reporting crimes that have been perpetrated against them. Given the prevalence of sexual crimes, this is absolutely necessary.

“It was not all that long ago, before the Violence Against Women Act, that rape and domestic violence were shuffled under the rug. In the 1970s, ordinary women first took up the reins of activism for those who suffered in violence. Just like thirty years ago, the energy and the change will come from women on college campuses standing up and saying they will tolerate this no longer. Reports such as the one published today are critical to shedding light on the problem.

“Yale students obviously recognized the importance of this survey as almost 52 percent of them provided responses. I will continue to work with college officials, students and law enforcement until survey results like we are seeing today are a thing of the past.”

The survey can be found here.


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