Problems arise for state efforts to curb campus sex assaults

Lawmakers in several states are seeking to address the high-profile problem of sexual assaults on college campuses, but their bills have encountered criticism and legal complexities.

Among the contentious measures, some are viewed as infringing on victims' rights and others as too favorable to accused students.

In three states — Virginia, New Jersey and Rhode Island — lawmakers entered the 2015 session hoping to pass bills requiring college officials to promptly report all alleged on-campus sexual assaults to local law enforcement agencies.

The bills' supporters said too few cases get reported, as evidenced by recent Justice Department estimates that only 20 percent of campus sexual assault victims go to police, compared to one-third of victims of assaults that happen elsewhere.

Each bill, however, has faced forceful opposition. A measure in Virginia was scaled back before winning approval last week, and the main sponsors of measures in Rhode Island and New Jersey now say they are open to amendments to address some of the objections.

Critics say mandatory-reporting bills would conflict with federal requirements that victims of sexual assaults be allowed to decide for themselves whether law enforcement should be notified. That policy is widely backed by college administrators, victims' rights advocates and anti-violence groups