Sex law different for adults

Thank you to the Summer Wildcat for running the story on campus sexual assault. Many community members now have a clearer understanding of the impact and dynamics of sexual violence.

We do wish to clarify one point that wasn't made in the article. Students under the age of 18 and adults working in an educational institution with students under age 18 need to be aware of an Arizona state law regarding what is popularly known as mandatory reporting.

Under this law, Arizona Revised Statute 13-3620, any adult who reasonably suspects a minor with whom they work has been abused must report this suspicion to law enforcement or Child Protective Services (CPS). If a student under age 18 reports abuse to anyone over age 18, they must be aware, that law to report the abuse mandates the adult.

The report is not an accusation; it is merely a request for an investigation. Upon learning of or suspecting abuse, the adult must immediately call CPS or law enforcement and follow-up in writing within 72 hours. Failure to do so is a class 1 misdemeanor.

Some students, for various reasons, may not want to report their assault. Students under age 18 who have experienced some form of sexual violence and want help but do not want their experience reported have options. Whether a student chooses to report or not, he or she can call the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault 24-hour crisis hotline at 327-7273 or 1-800-400-1001 and talk with a specially trained crisis advocate. Abused students under age 18 can also visit the Center s website at www.sacasa.org for more information about sexual violence and resources available in the community.

The mandated reporting law is in place to protect young people by ensuring their experiences are validated and receive a swift and appropriate response. While the law has the potential to decrease a student's likelihood of reporting, we hope they will still seek services to help them heal in whatever way is meaningful and appropriate for them.

Sincerely,
Bridget Riceci, M.S.W.
President and CEO
Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault

Wildcat should pay attention

In response to Arek Sarkissian's editorial on July 2nd, my only advice for the Wildcat on how to find better (controversial?) articles would be to pay attention to the news itself. In the past week, sodomy laws were declared unconstitutional, Bush still has not found a hint of weapons of mass destruction, troops are being killed day after day in Iraq, and Mt. Lemmon continues to burn,

Move on.org held an online primary in which 347,647 people voted for a democratic candidate for 2004, and Israel has withdrawn from parts of the Gaza Strip and is removing some illegal settlements. Amazing news stories, none of which were reported in this week's Wildcat, but there's still time...

John Ryan
UA Alumnus 2001