PRINTER'S NO. 134
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
12
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, SCHWANK, SANTARSIERO, L. WILLIAMS,
FONTANA, COMITTA, HAYWOOD, COLLETT, BARTOLOTTA, COSTA,
KEARNEY, TARTAGLIONE, DILLON AND BREWSTER, JANUARY 19, 2023
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 19, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the impact of sexual harassment, sexual assault,
dating violence, domestic violence and stalking on
Commonwealth students enrolled in grades six through twelve
and postsecondary institutions and issue a report of its
findings and recommendations to the Governor and General
Assembly.
WHEREAS, One in five women and one in twenty men experience
sexual violence during their time in college; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Justice has found
that nearly 20% of girls between 14 and 17 years of age
experience sexual assault; and
WHEREAS, Research suggests that younger students, lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) students,
students of color and students with disabilities experience
higher rates of sexual violence and relationship violence than
their peers; and
WHEREAS, One in three adolescents experience violent and
abusive dating behaviors, including physical, sexual, emotional,
technological or verbal abuse; and
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WHEREAS, The trauma of sexual violence has significant
negative impacts on students, including immediate and long-term
health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, substance
abuse, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, as well as
difficulties with school work or grades and problems with
friends, roommates, other students or family members; and
WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated 61,141 girls between 14 and
17 years of age in this Commonwealth experience sexual assault,
resulting in an estimated $14.8 billion in lifetime costs
resulting from decreased educational attainment and
productivity; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's school districts and postsecondary
institutions must ensure that all learners have access to high-
quality education in environments that are free from
discrimination, harassment and violence; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to conduct a study on the impact of sexual
harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence
and stalking on Commonwealth students enrolled in grades six
through twelve and postsecondary institutions and issue a report
of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General
Assembly; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission seek
input and information as appropriate from at least the
following:
(1) the Department of Education;
(2) the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency;
(3) the Department of Human Services;
(4) the Department of Health;
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(5) students representing each of the following:
(i) grades six through eight, including private and
public institutions, charter schools and cyber schools;
(ii) grades nine through twelve, including private
and public institutions, charter schools and cyber
schools; and
(iii) institutions of higher education;
(6) teachers and staff members from private and public
institutions, charter schools and cyber schools;
(7) school administrators, including superintendents,
serving in rural, urban and suburban school districts;
(8) faculty and staff members from institutions of
higher education;
(9) presidents of institutions of higher education,
including public and private two-year and four-year
institutions;
(10) deans of students or equivalent positions within
institutions of higher education, including public and
private two-year and four-year institutions;
(11) Title IX coordinators serving in rural, urban and
suburban school districts, as well as in institutions of
higher education, including public and private two-year and
four-year institutions;
(12) campus law enforcement or security personnel
serving at institutions of higher education, including public
and private two-year and four-year institutions;
(13) a police chief of a municipality containing an
institution of higher education, including public and private
two-year and four-year institutions;
(14) a representative of the judiciary with experience
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in matters affecting young adults;
(15) a representative of a hospital or health care
provider;
(16) a medical professional from a campus health care
center of an institution of higher education;
(17) a representative of an organization providing
services to victims of relationship violence or sexual
assault;
(18) a psychiatrist or licensed clinical social worker
licensed and practicing in this Commonwealth with
demonstrated expertise in treatment of victims of
relationship violence or sexual assault; and
(19) a representative of an organization representing
the interests of LGBTQ youths in this Commonwealth;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue
surveys and other information requests to institutions of higher
education and school districts to assist in its study and
recommendations; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the report of the Joint State Government
Commission include findings and recommendations regarding
improving responses and establishing consistent responses to
sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic
violence and stalking at secondary and postsecondary
institutions, and that the report:
(1) compare and analyze responses to sexual harassment,
sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and
stalking in different educational settings, including public
and private secondary and postsecondary institutions;
(2) identify and review prevention and response policies
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for both secondary and postsecondary institutions aimed at
reducing sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence,
domestic violence and stalking;
(3) identify and analyze the number, frequency and
benefits or deficiencies of postsecondary institutions,
campus climate surveys, including how the surveys are
conducted and how the surveys are used to construct the
postsecondary institutions' policies, programs and procedures
relating to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating
violence, domestic violence and stalking; and
(4) include other data determined to be necessary or
appropriate;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue
its report to the Governor and General Assembly within one year
of the adoption of this resolution.
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