ALBANY, N.Y. — New York has begun a statewide campaign to raise awareness about campus sexual assault and to support Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s call to expand a new sexual consent policy to private colleges.
Cuomo announced the “Enough is Enough” campaign Wednesday. The initiative includes a website, video and a new 24-hour hotline operated by the state police — 844-845-7269 — for reporting sexual violence on college campuses.
The state’s public university system recently adopted a new sexual consent policy that requires a clear, affirmative agreement between partners. Alongside the new consent policy is a victim’s bill of rights and better training for law enforcement, campus faculty and students.
Cuomo has called on lawmakers to make the new policy apply to private colleges and universities as well. California enacted a similar consent policy last year that applies to any college that receives state money for student financial aid.
“Part of the problem is it doesn’t get enough publicity,” Cuomo said of sexual violence on college campuses. “It doesn’t get enough discussion. We tend to sweep unpleasant problems under the carpet. We don’t want to talk about it.”
As part of the effort, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will go on a tour of campuses around the state to meet with students and administrators on the topic of sexual assault.
