Association News

DOJ Releases Tools for College and University Leaders to Increase Awareness and Initiatives to Address Serious Problem

(West Hartford, CT) -- Vice President Joseph Biden today issued a call to action for higher education presidents, chancellors and senior administrators to step up on sexual assault, calling the problem an epidemic.

Biden acknowledged that many university leaders were contributing to solving the problem, but not enough are. "So I'm asking you to approach sexual violence with the same seriousness and resources as you would any other epidemic," Biden said. "Change depends on your leadership."

Bidens White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault prepared a guide specifically to help education leaders develop plans for addressing sexual assault on campus. Resources and information on these efforts can be found at www.NotAlone.gov and www.ItsOnUs.org.

"Sexual assault is one of the most debilitating crimes," said Sue Riseling, executive director of IACLEA and a national expert of the issue. All of us must find ways to eliminate such violence. IACLEA members have been, and will continue to be, leaders in the prevention and investigation of sexual assault crimes.

The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) the largest professional association of campus public safety officials, has long championed efforts to reduce sexual assault. The organization includes the topic at all its professional development conferences, works in partnership with other law enforcement organizations to examine and promote best practices to address the problem, and brings this complex issue to the attention of law and policy makers.