Pennsylvania attorney general launches college campus safety initiative

Attorney General Josh Shapiro will target drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and sexual assault prevention in a new initiative for Pennsylvania college and university campuses.

Shapiro announced the initiative at a press conference at West Chester University on Thursday, according to a release.

"I'll be working all year to make concrete improvements to campus safety across our commonwealth," Shapiro said.

Shapiro said drug addiction, alcohol abuse, mental health awareness and sexual assault prevention as four risk areas for students.

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Tweet:

Great to be with the students, faculty and staff of @WCUofPA. Thanks for playing a leading role in making college campuses across PA safer. https://t.co/RmhqRYqO30

- Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) August 31, 2017

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There are 750,000 students at 200 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.

Shapiro plans to host roundtable discussions at four schools this fall. The roundtables will bring together students, victim advocates, law enforcement, college and university staff and field experts.

The discussions will be held at Dickinson College, Lincoln University, Slippery Rock University and University of Pittsburgh.

The attorney general office's goal is to identify best practices and promote them throughout the school year in Pennsylvania.

Credit: LINDSEY BLEST | Staff Writer