Provision aims to expand sexual assault victims’ rights

In an effort to bolster victims’ rights, campus sexual assault policies throughout Minnesota could be seeing a small but significant change.

Sponsored by Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls), HF3415, as amended, would require postsecondary institutions to provide information on legal resources to victims of harassment or assault.

The bill was held over Wednesday by the House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion. The companion, SF3296, awaits action by the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee. Sen. Greg Clausen (DFL-Apple Valley) is the sponsor.

Existing state statute requires every postsecondary institution to have a campus sexual violence policy. The policy must also contain more than a dozen statutorily mandated provisions pertaining to victims’ rights, as well as investigation and disciplinary processes. The bill would amend that to include this additional provision, requiring that legal resources information is provided to victims. 

Jessica Webster, staff attorney with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, said that right now her organization’s referrals come mostly from law enforcement. However, she said that with this provision they may be able to help meet victims’ needs sooner because they’re more likely to get referrals directly from campuses. 

“Sometimes these referrals come to us late and if we could have worked with the victim on a housing issue or on an order for protection we might have been able to help them a little bit sooner and a little bit more effectively and efficiently,” Webster said.