A new law signed by Governor Jerry Brown will mandate the way state colleges and universities investigate reports of sexual assaults occurring on campus and at school-sanctioned events. Students at Diablo Valley College have mixed reviews and want more information about it.

While most of the requirements overlap with existing federal law, California Senate Bill 967, known as the “yes means yes” law,  sets a legal standard for determining whether consent was given by both parties involved in a sexual encounter. It defines consent as “affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.” Without it, an encounter is not deemed consensual.

The law states that alleged consent given while incapacitated due to intoxication, does not meet the standard.

DVC Police Services Lt. Chad Wehrmeister believes the bill is a “huge win.”

In the past, he said, intoxication was often used as a defense.

“This clearly states that that is not a defense.” Wehrmeister believes people will now think twice before engaging in risky behavior.

Computer science major Ryan Morris doubts the law will alter behavior. That, he said, requires cultural change.

Psychology major Alejandra Serrano feels that sexual assault is not taken seriously.

“There aren’t as many consequences for people as there should be,” she said, “and it’s blamed on the victim.”

“It probably happens more at the university level,” said business administration major Lorrie Mae Joaquin. “But … you have athletes where there’s clear evidence they have raped somebody and there’s no repercussions.”

Furthermore, she said responsibility for preventing sexual assault is unfairly placed on victims rather than perpetrators.

“We live in a culture where it’s like ‘okay, well, carry a whistle.’ Or ‘use the buddy system.’ You see posters that say all that stuff to a victim to prevent getting raped, but nowhere do I see posters that say, ‘hey, don’t rape!’”

Some students feel the consent requirement is impractical.

“I understand that the new law tries to protect women from abuse,” said business administration major Jeramie Legge. “But I think at the same time that’s not always a question asked between consenting adults.”

The students all said they need more information about the law.

“You can make laws until you’re blue in the face,” Joaquin said, “but if you’re not promoting that message … what’s the point?”

She’d like to see fraternities and other student groups spread the message.

“We need to somehow promote the fact that it’s not cool to be doing that kind of thing.”

Students will be asked to help develop DVC’s educational campaign about the law, which is planned for spring semester rollout, according to Newin Orante, Vice President of Student Services.

Though sexual assaults at colleges are rising nationwide, there were no reported incidents at DVC in academic years 2010 through 2012, according to the 2013 Campus Crime Awareness Report published by the Contra Costa Community College District Police Department.