McClure Files Legislation to Protect Students from Sexual Assaults in Schools

(McCLURE)

Legislation has been filed to make sure that students who commit sexual assaults in schools are held accountable so that their victims are kept safe.

The legislation mandates that if a student commits sexual assault or sexual violence at a school or school-affiliated event, that student would be expelled for at least one year.

Local State Senator Steve McClure and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer are the chief sponsors of the legislation. The legislation was filed following an incident in the Taylorville school district.

McClure said, "This is about making sure that victims aren't having to face their attackers in school every day, as well as protecting other students from someone who has already committed assault."

The legislation was proposed in response to an incident in Senator McClure's district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted and the attacker was only moved to an alternative school due to the victim's mother, who repeatedly had to go to court to file for orders of protection.

The proposed legislation brings punishments for sexual assault in line with similar laws regarding weapons in schools. According to Illinois statutes, if a student brings a weapon into a school, they are required to be expelled for one year.

The victim's mother, Ashley Peden, said, "We have laws where a student gets expelled for bringing a weapon on school grounds. For my daughter, this young man's body was his weapon, and he continually brought his weapon to school, on the bus, and to the bus stop. This is not acceptable."

The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault is supporting the legislation, which is Senate Bill 98.