Several Utah police officials are joining in calls to change Brigham Young University's practice of investigating students for violations of the school's strict code of behavior after reporting they were sexually assaulted.
Provo's police chief said Thursday that he's pleased the Mormon-owned school based in his city is considering changing the way it handles reports of sexual violence. Provo Police Sgt. Brian Taylor says he hopes BYU changes its policy, and starts providing amnesty to victims.
Speaking during the UPR/Salt Lake Tribune/and KCPW program, Behind The Headlines, tribune reporter Erin Alberty said she has been investigating the story and has interviewed several BYU administrators.
"We don't know if there are going to be policy revisions and we really don't know what they are going to do and we don't know what the timeframe is for studying it," said Alberty. "The software that overlaps the tracking system that they used would be looked at as a potential structural change, of course that is not the same thing as amnesty. That was just one example."
Over the past few weeks, an increasing number of BYU students and alumni have reported being investigated by the honor code office after reporting their sexual assault.
All BYU students must agree to abide by the school's strict honor code, which bans premarital sex and drinking, among other things.
