WASHINGTON — After a semester of salacious charges this fall at the University of Virginia that drew out information about underlying problems with campus sex assault, Virginia’s General Assembly has moved to lay out new ground rules for state universities when sexual assaults are reported.
The bills would set up a new process for reporting, including providing the victim with information about confidentiality and setting up support through groups that are not affiliated with the schools. The schools would be required to have all reports reviewed by police or a prosecutor, although some of the reports could be reviewed after identifying information is removed.
The House and Senate have also agreed to some changes that would increase regulation of some day care facilities across Virginia.
Once the conference reports are passed, the bills will go to the governor.
