Date:  August 28, 2013
For Immediate Release

Contact: Andrew DeBlock
andrew.deblock@cwlc.org

LOS ANGELES – Today, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) announced its support for Assemblymember Anthony Rendon’s audit of the sexual assault policies of four California schools including UC Berkley and three other institutions still to be named.

“The California Women’s Law Center applauds Assemblymember Rendon and his commitment to the issue of sexual assault on college campuses,” said Interim Executive Director Betsy Butler. “As increasing numbers of student survivors come forward, it is essential that institutions of higher learning take responsibility for protecting students seriously and ensure that each campus is a safe environment.”

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved Assemblymember Rendon’s request following testimony from students who have been impacted by sexual assault on campus and received woefully inadequate support from school administrators. The audit will report on colleges’ compliance with federal sexual assault reporting laws as well as campus counseling services and how often school officials refer cases to law enforcement.

Students at other California colleges and universities including USC and Occidental, have recently brought complaints to the U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education Office of Civil Rights is investigating both schools for violations under Title IX which classifies sexual violence as a form of discrimination.

Assemblymember Rendon’s audit is expected to be released in approximately seven months.

###

The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) works to ensure, through systemic change, that life opportunities for women and girls are free from unjust social, economic and political constraints.

Founded in 1989, the CWLC focuses on the following issue areas: gender discrimination, women’s health, violence against women, reproductive justice and the unique concerns of women veterans.

For more information please visit www.cwlc.org and follow CWLC on twitter @CWLC_la .