Brigham Young University has reportedly agreed to grant amnesty from honor code investigations to survivors of sexual assault. According to a petition created by Madi Barney, the university also agreed to implement 22 other suggestions following a study.
The petition, which has reached 116,685 supporters, was prompted by accounts of survivors facing academic consequences for reporting assaults. One individual stated they waited four days to report a rape due to fear regarding their standing at the university. Under the current honor code, actions such as premarital sex or being in a bedroom with someone of the opposite sex are prohibited.
The petition creator noted that the university's Honor Code Office had placed a hold on their academic career, preventing class registration following an assault. While Title IX officials have defended certain decisions, the petition asserts that the current environment creates a chilling effect that discourages reporting and leads to inaccurate low numbers for sexual assaults at the institution.
The petition has achieved a significant level of support, nearing its goal of 120,000 signatures. The movement emphasizes the need for an immunity clause to ensure victims can come forward without fear of retribution or being treated as perpetrators under the honor code.
