Assembly approves sexual assault victim amnesty bill

MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a bill ensuring that sexual assault victims and others who report such crimes can't be cited or disciplined for underage drinking.


The bill comes as universities try to increase sexual assault reporting on campus through education and outreach programs. Many colleges and police departments typically don't discipline or cite people for underage drinking if they're victims of sexual assault or reported the crime. The bill's supporters say the measure would solidify that practice in state law and encourage more reports.

According to a 2014 U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report, about 80 percent of rape and sexual assault victimizations of students are not reported to police,

The Assembly approved the bill on a voice vote Tuesday, February 9th. It now goes to the Wisconsin Senate.