The state Assembly has voted in favor of a so-called sexual assault amnesty bill. The bill’s author, Republican state representative Joan Ballweg says the measure would encourage more victims to report the crime. Ballweg says the bill would ensure victims and others who report sexual assaults can’t be cited for underage drinking. The bill comes as universities try to increase sexual assault reporting on campus through education and outreach programs. Many colleges and police departments typically don’t discipline or cite people for underage drinking if they’re victims of sexual assault or reported the crime. The bill’s supporters say the measure would solidify that practice in state law and encourage more reports. According to a 2014 U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report, about 80 percent of rape and sexual assault victimizations of students are not reported to police.
