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Hochul Comes to RIT to Talk Campus Sexual Assault Policy

Veronica Volk
/
WXXI

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was at RIT to speak with students and faculty, and promote legislation that would set uniform sexual assault response policies for colleges all over the state.

With less than a month to the end of the legislative session, Hochul is doubling down on the "Enough is Enough" legislation that has defined much of her term so far.

"It is imperative that we get to our state legislators, assembly, and senators, and let them know how important this issue is, that we should have a uniform policy that covers all of the 1.2 million students who are college students in the state of New York."

The policy includes a survivor's "bill of rights," increases support staff to encourage victims coming forward, and establishes affirmative consent. Hochul says affirmative consent can help put more sexual offenders to justice by clearing up the ambiguity of "no means no."

"The accused can simply say, well, she didn't say 'no.' I assumed when she didn't say 'no' that meant consent."

The policy was already adopted by all SUNY and CUNY schools earlier this year.

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.