blications and Alumni Communic | University of Missouri)

 Nationwide, eyes are on sexual assault because of the Cornell case and I think that will bring some new urgency to this issue,  said state Rep. Jaclyn Zimmermann, a St. Louis County Democrat.

Zimmermann said Missouri's laws can be strengthened. She worked with a Republican lawmaker on a bill that would require health care providers to offer emergency contraceptives to sexual assault victims. She also proposed increasing penalties for giving someone drugs or alcohol against their will.

 If a person goes to a health care provider after they get sexually assaulted, they don't want to go to another provider to get prescribed emergency contraceptives,  Zimmermann said.  Having it there at the first place they go will make it more effective. 

 That's a big problem, not only on our campuses but for people across Missouri,  she said of drugging or intoxicating someone without consent.  So, I feel that would go a long way for protecting students. 

Neither bill passed this year. Zimmermann hopes the national attention will bring renewed momentum in the next legislative session.

A University of Missouri spokesperson said the university takes student safety seriously and encourages students to come forward if something happens.

 Mizzou takes the safety of the university community seriously. The university maintains established reporting, review and supportive measures consistent with university policy and applicable law, and we encourage anyone with relevant information regarding a sexual assault to report it through the appropriate university channels, which can be found on the Office of Institutional Equity website. For immediate assistance or to report an incident at any time, students should contact MUPD at (573) 882-7201. MUPD is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an emergency, call 911. For additional support services, contact Student Health and Well-Being,  said Travis Zimpfer, MU Spokesperson.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Victim Center at 47.864.7233 (SAFE).