National Legislation

Significant Federal Laws Relating to Sexual Assault and Hate Crimes

THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT OF 1994

The Violence Against Women Act offers an important source of new funding for programs that address the needs of sexual assault victims. While this law has been described in other chapters, it is important to point out that for victims of sexual assault, certain provisions of the act are pertinent:
* Under this Act for states, to qualify for the available funding, states have to pay
   for forensic rape exams.
* Female victims of violence can now sue in federal court for damages
   resulting from violent attacks.
* Federal funding is providing for coordination, investigation, and prosecution
   of crimes against women.
* Appropriated and authorized funds to implement provisions of the
   Violence Against Women Act for domestic violence and rape prevention
   and intervention programs represent a significant increase in federal support.
* The impact of this federal law will be seen for years to come.
Excerpts from the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (VAWA)

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005
On January 5, 2006, President Bush signed the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA). His signature reauthorized existing programs to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking, and created new ones to meet emerging needs of communities to prevent violence.
VAWA 2005 Short Summary by The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence

THE CAMPUS CRIME SEXUAL ASSAULT BILL OF RIGHTS OF 1992

Because of a nationwide problem of sexual assault on college campuses--which was traditionally handled by campus security, rather than through outside law enforcement (and as a criminal justice matter)--and because very often there was pressure on the student-victim not to report to outside authorities, a Bill of Rights became necessary for college rape and sexual assault victims. In addition to requiring that campus authorities treat rape victims with respect, give them information about their criminal and civil justice options, and establish procedures for assisting victims, rape prevention education is required.
Campus Sexual Assault Victims' Bill of Rights Summary by Security On Campus, Inc.

THE STUDENT RIGHT-TO-KNOW AND CAMPUS SECURITY ACT OF 1990

Due to a long tradition of handling crime on campus internally and not reporting crimes to local law enforcement, the extent of campus crime across the country was underreported for many years. Rape is among several on-campus crimes that now must report to local law enforcement under this law. Equally important, the law requires colleges and universities to provide information on safety-related procedures for the student.
 

THE HATE CRIME STATISTICS ACT OF 1990

This law requires the reporting of crimes that are motivated by prejudice, race, religion, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Women are not considered a "protected class" under the law; however, information is collected about crimes against women within protected categories. For the first time on a nationwide basis, sexual assault and rape statistics covering many types of overlooked crimes are being collected. This information will help target services and funding for previously undocumented and often unrecognized crimes against women.
U.S. Department of Justice FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program Hate Crime Statistics 2005

Source: National Victim Assistance Academy 1999. Chapter 9: Sexual Assault. Author: Dean Kilpatrick