CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged Monday that she will address sexual assault on campuses if she becomes president and voiced solidarity with victims, saying, “You have the right to be believed.”
Speaking to more than 500 people at the University of Northern Iowa, the Democratic presidential candidate said she will offer a comprehensive approach to campus sexual assaults. This means support to survivors, a disciplinary or legal process fair to all and more steps to prevent assaults from happening, she said.
She gave few specifics. Her campaign said that in one example, she would work to establish sexual-violence prevention education programs earlier, in secondary school “where norms begin to set in.”
“Today I want to send a message to every survivor of sexual assault,” Clinton said. “Don’t let anyone silence your voice. You have the right to be heard. You have the right to be believed and we’re with you.”
Clinton said she would build on President Barack Obama’s efforts to curb sexual assaults at collages. Those steps include releasing the names of colleges and universities facing Title IX investigations for their handling of such cases.