Illinois lawmakers are advocating for stricter consequences for students who commit sexual assault in schools, introducing a law that would require a one-year expulsion for offenders.
The proposal comes in response to a case in the Taylorville school district, where a victim’s mother had to repeatedly seek legal protection to keep her child safe.
State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) introduced the legislation to ensure that students who commit sexual assault or sexual violence in schools face mandatory expulsion for at least one year.
The proposed law, Senate Bill 98, would apply to incidents that occur on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, or during activities related to school functions. “It’s about ensuring that victims don’t have to face their attackers every day at school, as well as protecting other students from someone who has already committed an assault,” McClure said.
Davidsmeyer, who plans to introduce identical legislation in the Illinois House, emphasized the need for stronger protections in schools.
“As a parent, we believe our children are safe at school and at school functions. This law takes an important step to ensure that school administrators are doing everything they can to protect school children in the absence of their parents,” Davidsmeyer said.
The legislation stems from an incident in McClure’s district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted, but the perpetrator was only transferred to an alternative school.
The victim’s mother, Ashley Peden, fought in court to secure protective orders for her daughter. She argued that expulsion should be the standard response to sexual assault, just as it is for students caught bringing weapons to school.
“We have laws that a student is expelled for bringing a weapon onto school grounds,” Peden said. “For my daughter, this young man’s body was his weapon, and he continually brought his weapon to school, on the bus, and to the bus stop. This is not acceptable.”
The proposed legislation has received support from advocacy groups, including the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA).
“ICASA supports Senator McClure’s efforts to ensure that schools recognize and respond to sexual assault, support survivors, and hold those who commit such assaults accountable. Senate Bill 98 focuses on applying existing school expulsion guidelines to cases of sexual assault in an effort to protect and support survivors and ensure the safety of all students,” said Carrie Ward, executive director of ICASA.
Izvor: Fox 32, Foto: Brian Munoz
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