Amherst College holds open meeting on sex assaults

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The atmosphere and the process for dealing with sexual assault reports on campus is about to change at Amherst College.

Amherst College held an open meeting that was closed to the news media Tuesday night. The meeting focused on the report from the Special Oversight Committee on Sexual Misconduct.

The report makes specific recommendations after finding deficiencies in the college's response to a campus sexual assault last year.

"First year students are the ones that are most at risk for sexual assault,” said Margaret Hunt, Chair of the Oversight Committee. “So we're very interested in trying to figure out ways to integrate first year students better, in a more healthy way into the campus community."

Professor Hunt said incoming students will see more emphasis on mentorship.

There'll be more bystander training on campus, and there'll be an emphasis on stopping sexual misconduct before it happens.