50949_WKBW_7_Problem_Solvers_658x90.png

Actions

Sexual assault training needs improvement at WNY colleges

Governor's report prompted by NCCC investigation
Posted

“What is she stupid? I mean, no, seriously. That is as dumb as can be…Her daughter should be worried, because if she's got her mother's genes, she's dumber than a doorknob.”

Those words about a victim of sexual assault were part of a 7 Eyewitness News investigation into sexual abuse at Niagara County Community College.

They brought down the college president -- James P. Klyczek -- who uttered them and led Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to launch a statewide review of college campus sexual assault policies. 

Cuomo’s office released the results of that study Tuesday, and fewer than 40 percent of schools were deemed to be compliant with the “Enough is Enough” sexual assault law, which requires schools to have policies to protect the victims of sexual assault. 

Among those who passed the test with the highest marks and were fully compliant with the law were:

  • UB
  • Fredonia
  • St. Bonaventure
  • Canisius
  • Trocaire

NCCC was deemed to be “significantly compliant,” meaning it did OK but there were some concerns. One of every two schools across the state fell into that category, including:

  • ECC
  • Daemen
  • Niagara University 
  • Villa Maria
  • Buffalo State

The only non-compliant school that has a location in Western New York was Bryant & Stratton.

Cuomo calls New York’s law the nation’s toughest on college campuses, where studies show 1 in 5 women experience some sort of sexual assault. 

He also takes a jab at federal education secretary Betsy DeVos, who has talked about rolling back some of these policies on the federal level. None of those changes would affect the state law. 

Click here to view the full report.