New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo has launched a public awareness campaign to promote “Enough is Enough,” a law designed to prevent sexual violence on college campuses in the state.

In addition to the campaign, Cuomo announced that the State Police’s Sexual Assault Victims Unit has opened to “provide investigative support and assistance to victims of sexual violence,” according to a Wednesday release from Cuomo’s office.

The senior investigators of the unit will provide training and law enforcement aid regarding the law for schools and police departments across New York state, according to the release.

“By creating this new unit, we will strengthen relationships with campus communities and provide dedicated resources with the goal of bringing justice to students who are victimized,” said Joseph D’Amico, superintendent of the New York State Police, in the release. “We want victims to know that they are not alone. The State Police and our local law enforcement partners are here to help.”

The public awareness campaign will entail Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Christine Quinn, a special adviser to Cuomo, visiting colleges and universities across the state to discuss and raise awareness for the legislation with students, faculty and staff, according to the release.

Hochul and Quinn will also hand out small pamphlets that provide information about the law and list the rights and protections college students have under the law.

The recently passed legislation defines affirmative consent as “a clear, unambiguous and voluntary agreement between the participants to engage in specific sexual activity.” The legislation, which contains procedures and guidelines regarding affirmative consent and sexual violence, will apply to more than one million college students across the state, according to the official website of New York state.

“New York is the progressive capital of the nation, and we are proud to take on tough issues like changing the culture and mindset surrounding sexual violence on college campuses,” Cuomo said in the release. “That is why this law is so important, and every freshman or returning student should know the rules of behavior have changed.

“These situations are not just a violation of school policy or ethics: they are crimes, and every student should know they have more rights than before. Our message is clear: Enough is Enough, and New York will not tolerate sexual assault on our college campuses.”

Published on September 2, 2015 at 10:38 pm

Contact Alexa: atorrens@syr.edu