Statements from Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senate Higher Education Committee Ranker Toby Ann Stavisky

Albany, NY - In response to recent statements and reports that the Senate Republican Conference does not support common sense initiatives to confront the sexual assault epidemic impacting college campuses in New York, Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senate Higher Education Committee Ranking Member Toby Ann Stavisky issued the following statements:

Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “The Senate Republicans have once again proven that they are completely out of touch with the needs of New York's women. It is offensive that they are  questioning these common sense protections​. ​There has been an epidemic of sexual violence in this country that is truly disturbing and it is plaguing​ ​college campuses​. ​New York​ ​must lead the way on this important issue and ensure the safety and safeguard the rights of ​all​ our students.

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Ranking Member of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, said, “We have a responsibility to confront the sexual abuse and violence crisis taking place on college campuses around the nation and here in New York State. Instead of working to protect New York’s female students, the Senate Republicans are again putting their extremist views ahead of serving the public. The Senate Republicans should stop opposing common sense initiatives to combat sexual abuse and work with the Governor, State Assembly and the Senate Democratic Conference to ensure all New York students are safe and secure on college campuses.”

Multiple Senate Republicans and their political allies have recently issued statements hostile to efforts to better protect women from sexual assault and violence on college campuses in New York State. For more information about the Senate Republican Conference’s hostility to anti-sexual assault initiatives to better protect college students, click here.