RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia lawmakers are proposing new rules that would require university officials to report allegations of sexual assault to law enforcement personnel and prosecutors.
Three Republican leaders in the House said Monday that violent crimes should be addressed by the criminal justice system, not by school officials.
Rolling Stone magazine published an article last month detailing the woman's account and describing what it called a hidden culture of sexual violence. The three Republicans, Dels. Dave Albo, Rob Bell and Todd Gilbert, are all U.Va. alumni who have worked as state prosecutors. They pledged to strengthen requirements of school officials to report violent felonies to the authorities.
Springfield Democrat Del. Eileen Filler-Corn introduced similar legislation Monday, and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Richard Saslaw said he too will pursue similar legislation.
