After dealing with her daughter being sexually assaulted, a Stonington woman is getting some support from the General Assembly. New 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, filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville), 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 1 year.

The legislation was filed following an incident in the Taylorville school district.

Senate Bill 98 mandates that any student who commits sexual assault, sexual violence, or sexual activity without a victim’s consent, at a school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school, would be expelled for at least 1 year.

Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer wants to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

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, Ashley Peden, 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 1 year.

Carrie Ward, CEO of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault says schools need to be held accountable and that students need the support and resources they need.

To see the original interview with Ashley Peden click here.