SUNY, State Public Health Officials Launch Program To Fight Campus Sex Assaults

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Public health officials have teamed up with the State University of New York system for a training program designed to curb sexual assault, stalking and relationship violence on campus.

As part of the initiative, faculty and staff at state colleges will be taught how to recognize signs of abusive relationships or sexual violence and how to intervene to protect vulnerable students.

Once they complete the program, the faculty and staff members will be certified to train students.

The training announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday will be funded by a $500,000 federal grant.

It is part of a larger state effort to reduce campus sexual violence that includes a new ``yes means yes'' definition of sexual consent – also known as affirmative consent – requiring clear agreement by students before engaging in sexual activity.

Last summer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a measure including an affirmative consent requirement, called "Enough Is Enough," into law.

In 2014, California also adopted a "yes means yes'' law for all schools receiving state financial aid money.

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