the Takeaway

The new film The Hunting Ground looks at the so-called rape epidemic on college campuses, and how colleges contribute to the issue by deliberately silencing victims, overturning the convictions of rapists, and erasing the truth about how often assaults happen.

This week, California became the first state in the nation to adopt an affirmative consent standard for sexual assault cases on university and college campuses. 

This fall, college freshman across the country are weighing their options: computer science or political science? Pre-med or pre-law? The choice of what to major in carries a lot of weight to young students. For many, it's a decision that tangles future earning potential with genuine interest.

A growing movement has students urging professors to be more transparent about sensitive material in their coursework.

Those students are arguing that certain content -- like depictions of rape, suicide or political violence -- can act as a trigger to students who have experienced trauma. To help prevent this, professors can issue "trigger warnings."

As sexual assault victims on college campuses begin to speak out, many are asking: what's the solution?  

This week on The Takeaway, California Representative Jackie Speier talked about one creative proposal that she hopes will help hold colleges accountable for how they handle sexual assault on their campuses. 

In partnership with On Campus, The Takeaway recently talked with Mike Wasserman, the Massachusetts executive director of the non-profit Bottom Line which helps disadvantaged and first generation students apply for and graduate from college, and Jasmine Boyd-Perry, a junior at the University of Massachusetts Boston.