OLYMPIA — A bill expanding training for Title IX investigators and police officers on investigating and responding to sexual assault passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday.
Senate Bill 5356, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), requires Title IX investigators at colleges and universities to receive training from the Criminal Justice Training Commission on investigating sexual assault and gender-based violence.
Sexual assault is pervasive on college campuses – 25% of undergraduate women and 13% of all students experience sexual assault or rape during their postsecondary education. With survivors facing higher higher drop out rates than other students, robust training for Title IX investigators helps ensure survivors receive the support they need to help them stay in school.
“I’m thankful for the work that Title IX investigators do,” Orwall said. “Washington has some of the best training in the country, and I want our Title IX investigators to have access to it so they can better support survivors on our campuses.”
The bill also clarifies that police officers working on patrol must receive training every three years on responding to calls involving sexual violence and interacting with survivors. Research has found sexual assault police training programs consistently improve officers’ attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors related to handling such cases.
“We’ve tried hard in our state to have a trauma-informed system that supports survivors,” Orwall said. “When officers are properly trained, it not only helps prevent retraumatizing survivors but also makes people more likely to report this kind of violence.”
The bill now moves to the House for consideration. Follow its progress here.
