Be aware of campus assault

A new state law and federal reporting requirements should help Texas university administrators and police combat campus sexual assault.

Schools long have been required to compile public reports of violent crimes on campus, but many crimes go unreported.

A new federal law extends reporting requirements to include stalking, dating violence and domestic violence, as well as crimes based on national origin and sexual orientation. Rules outlined by the Education Department are to go into effect this month.

The Legislature this year passed House Bill 699, requiring schools to inform students about sexual assault policies during orientation and to review those policies every two years.

It’s important to increase awareness and to support assault victims.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Be aware of campus assault."