Sexual assault is a statewide epidemic in Connecticut that must be addressed now.
According to the Connecticut State Department of Education, “14% of Connecticut residents report that they have personally experienced childhood sexual assault, and 44% of victims of rape are under 18 years old.” Sexual assault is especially a problem on college campuses with “over 13% of college women in Connecticut reporting that they have been forced to have sex in a dating situation.”
A new bill in the Connecticut General Assembly, HB 5399, Concerning the Criminal Justice Response to Victims of Sexual Assault, will empower victims and give them the help they need.
This bill will help combat sexual assault by creating a council that will include government leaders and victims of sexual assault, reforming the law enforcement response to sexual assault. At the scene of a sexual assault incident, this bill will establish a peace officer, who will help victims and give them resources to crisis centers and hotlines, shelter services, and mental health resources. It will also enable any student or adult who does not feel safe at home due to domestic violence or sexual assault to get the help they need.
But before we pass this bill, we must also dispel myths surrounding sexual violence. People assume that strangers are the perpetrators of rape and sexual violence. However, this is not the case. According to Palomar College, in four out of five rape cases, the victim knows the perpetrator. In cases of childhood sexual assault, 93% of victims know and trust the perpetrator.
Another misconception about sexual violence is that it’s about sexual desire. But it’s more about power and control in vulnerable and marginalized populations. We must look at this bill with a lens that considers race and gender. Tulane University School of Social Work Professor Catherine E. McKinley reports that 49% of Indigenous or Native Alaskan women experience sexual violence in their lifetime. In addition, 50% of transgender people experience sexual assault; 38.2% of Black women experience sexual violence; and 80% of women and 30% of men with intellectual disabilities have been sexually assaulted.
Changing the law enforcement response to sexual assault will significantly help these marginalized communities. There is a disproportionate distrust of police in certain communities — as a Gallup poll found that only 18% of Black adults in the U.S. in 2020 say they have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in the police.
Including a peace officer to help victims rather than law enforcement can better handle these situations and improve trust among these marginalized communities. This bill lays the groundwork for a more supportive environment for all residents of Connecticut by encouraging dialogue and elevating the voices of those affected by the issue like sexual assault survivors.
In conclusion, I urge you to help combat sexual assault. Our government must fulfill its responsibility to protect citizens. There are too many Connecticut residents who have had their lives ruined by sexual assault. I urge you to act now and get involved, by contacting your representatives or Gov. Ned Lamont to encourage them to pass HB 5399.
Quinn Luong is a member of the Yale College Democrats.