New York lawmaker seeks more data in ‘Enough is Enough’ law

Amid the Cornell University rape investigation, there’s a new push to update New York’s “Enough is Enough” law.

The state passed it in 2015 to keep track of incidents of stalking, dating and sexual violence, and domestic violence on college and university campuses throughout New York state.

Democratic Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal says more information is needed to understand what happens after a student makes a report.

“The law has not been updated in 11 years,” she said. “We need much more data on how sexual assault is being taught on college campuses. How many students are attacked? What happens when they report? The whole gambit.”

In the upcoming legislative session, Rosenthal says she plans on proposing a new bill to update the decade old law.

“So, this bill will require the state Education Department to be the host,” said Rosenthal. “Their website to be the host of reports of every private and public higher education institute in New York state that will address how sexual assault is treated on college campuses.”

Rosenthal’s plans come as advocates are pushing the state to look at other legislation including a proposal to close the voluntary intoxication loophole in New York law, which would stop a defendant from using a victim’s choice to drink alcohol or use drugs as a legal defense in sex crime cases.

“There are 27 other states who have long closed this exclusion,” said Minister Peace, executive director of Community for a Cause during an Oct. 1 rally in New York City.

Advocates are also calling for changes in other laws including the law that would protect survivors from predatory lawsuits and provide anonymity protections for victims.

“Sexual misconduct and rape are not like other crimes,” said Erica Vladimer, founding director of Harassment Free New York. “The victim is always on trial for what was done to them, and our civil laws need to reflect that reality.”

In the wake of the Cornell University investigation, an Assembly working group has been formed to look at issues surrounding New York’s sexual assault laws.