A survey of 52 colleges and universities throughout the state ofCalifornia found that a number of institutions are not providingthe adequate amount of training and financing needed to promotesexual assault awareness.

In an effort to help improve the way collegesthroughout the state respond and handle sexual assault cases, TheCalifornia Campus Sexual Assault Task Force released a report lastweek titled, “California Campus Blue Print to Address SexualAssault.”

“This report should be a wake-up callthat schools and the state must find ways to take steps to educatecampus communities about preventing sexual assaults, and provideadequate support and services for victims in the event of a sexualattack,” said Executive Director Marybeth Carter in astatement to the press.

The report, which was produced over a one-yearperiod, lists several suggestions as to how colleges can improve inthe area of sexual assault and awareness. One recommendation is forevery college to create a comprehensive plan for addressing sexualassault. The report also suggests that campus administrationofficials should “spearhead” efforts to create thisplan.

The information as for how Sacramento Staterates among other universities was not included in the report. Noneof the institutions surveyed were specifically named in the report.Only summary results were reported.

Sac State has a sexual assault protocol,according to John Hamrick, investigator for the UniversityPolice.

“All of our officers have taken sexualassault courses in the academy and as part of advancedtraining,” Hamrick said. “These courses are mandated bypost and we have on-going training with our in-house post videolibrary.”

Sac State also has a sexual assault responsenetwork, which meets once a semester and will be convening in Mayto review the report.

The study generally found that the majority ofUC campuses have done a better job at addressing the issue ofsexual assault compared to CSUs and community colleges.

“The UC system has the longest historyof sexual assault programs and is the most consistent in offeringservices to students and others on campus,” said a pressstatement released by the task force.

One of the major obstacles for universitiescited in the report is money. Some colleges do not have the properfunding to improve or institute quality sexual assaultprograms.

“Obviously where there are morefinancial resources dedicated to the issue of sexual assault theprogramming tends to be more rigorous and comprehensive,”said Kristen Roe, project coordinator for thereport.

However, Roe cautioned that funding should notbe viewed as an excuse for not providing sexual assault awarenessprograms.

“The absence of adequate funding shouldnot ever be seen as an insurmountable obstacle for providing abasic level of response,” Roe said.

The report also reiterated the findingsof earlier studies, which show that one in every four college-agedwomen have been the victim of sexual assault or attempted sexualassault and 83 percent of all rape victims are under the age of25.

The entire report can be viewed online atwww.calcasa.org.