Sacramento –Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) introduced AB 381 which requires college campuses to provide orientation and outreach education relating to intimate partner violence. AB 381 requires that colleges provide sexual assault and dating violence prevention training and resources to students during orientation.
“Almost a fourth of college students have experienced dating violence from an existing partner, yet intimate partner violence is not discussed during orientation, nor the resources that may be available.” said Assemblymember Reyes. “Before students get to college they have family, friends and counselors guiding them academically, but seldom are students offered information on the very issues that will affect their health and safety. AB 381 will help ensure we alleviate the stigma surrounding dating violence by having the necessary information to prevent it from occurring, report incidences when they do occur, and provide resources as needed.”
According to the California Women’s Health Survey (CWHS) conducted by the California Department of Health Care Services, 40% of California women experience physical intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, with traditional college aged women (18-24) being 11% more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence or dating violence. Ensuring that students, upon arrival to college, are given prevention training, warning signs, and resources to help diminish domestic and dating violence will not only help survivors, but also ensure that individuals do not find themselves in abusive relationships.
AB 381 would add that, in addition to outreach and orientation programming around sexual assault, there should be:
- Education on the warning signs of intimate partner violence;
- Training on the prevention of intimate partner violence; and
- On and Off campus resources, laws, and policies, which impact and can be utilized by the student as it relates to intimate partner violence.
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.
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