State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker says too many sexual assaults are going unreported on college campuses in Michigan. The Republican from Lawton will be one of the co-hosts for a summit on preventing sexual assault called by Michigan First Lady Sue Snyder.
Schuitmaker was interviewed by WMUK's Gordon Evans and Kalamazoo Gazette reporter Emily Monacelli. Schuitmaker says about one in five women are sexually assaulted on college campuses, but she says only about 12% of those are reported. Schuitmaker says victims have to feel comfortable coming forward. She says law enforcement has to make sure that it's procedures don't keep women from reporting sexual assault.
Michigan's 15 public universities have different ways of handling sexual assault allegations, according to Schutimaker. She says a more standardized set of procedures should be established throughout the state. Schuitmaker says the current numbers are an estimate. She says removing the stigma associated with sexual assault would help get better numbers for Michigan campuses.
On road funding, Schuitmaker says there is no "perfect solution" to get more money for road repairs. But she is willing to vote for a gas tax increase. Schuitmaker would also consider an increase in vehicle registration fees. The Republican Senator voted for a gas tax increase as part of a road funding plan last year. But the House and Senate could not come to an agreement. Voters rejected Proposal 1 last month. It would have raised the sales tax as part of a road funding package.
