This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Back in April, The Salt Lake Tribune Editorial Board had this advice — based on some exemplary, and sensitive, investigative journalism from the other side of the room — for Brigham Young University:

Let rape victims speak up without honor code fears, BYU — Tribune Editorial, April 17, 2016

"Women do not have a responsibility to keep men from assaulting them.

"There are decisions some women make in the interest of reducing their risk, but women who make different decisions are not inviting rapists to rape. If a man forces a woman to have non-consensual sex, it's rape, and it is the assailant, not the victim, who is to blame.

"If the woman wore a sleeveless or strapless top, it's still the rapist's fault.

"If she had been drinking, it's still the rapist's fault.

"If they were in her bedroom, it's still the rapist's fault.

"If she previously had sex with him, it's still the rapist's fault.

"At Brigham Young University, that is not quite the whole story. If the victim is a BYU student, then any of the above conditions would put her in violation of BYU's honor code, and she could face punishment up to and including expulsion.

"Without intending to, BYU has given rapists an advantage. ..."

Today, they took it:

Matthew Piper, Jessica Miller and Erin Alberty | The Salt Lake Tribune, Today

"Brigham Young University announced Wednesday it will no longer punish students for Honor Code violations they disclose while reporting sexual assaults.

"The policy change follows the recommendations of an internal study group formed after multiple current and former students this spring said they were investigated for violations of the school's chastity requirement and other rules when they reported being sexually assaulted. ..."

" ... Sexual assault and dating/domestic violence violate fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which principles are integral to BYU's educational environment. Furthermore, the university's primary concern is the safety and well-being of its students and the overall well-being of the campus community. Therefore, the elimination of sexual assault and dating/domestic violence on campus is mandated by the precepts of our faith, consistent with our institutional purpose, and essential to protecting our students. ..."

"Students who report being sexually assaulted at Brigham Young University will no longer face the possibility of punishment for honor code violations, such as drinking or extramarital sex.

"The nation's preeminent Mormon university announced the new amnesty policy on Wednesday, acceding to a demand from many activists who saw peril for the victims of sexual assault at the conservative religious institution in Utah. ..."

Brigham Young Will Grant Disciplinary Amnesty to Sexual-Assault Victims — Sarah Brown | The Chronicle of Higher Education

" ... BYU attracted widespread attention in April after several students said the university had started investigating them for potential Honor Code violations shortly after they reported being sexually assaulted. The university's Honor Code bans premarital sex, alcohol and drug use, and being in the bedroom of an opposite-gender student, among other things. Many observers said BYU's practices could deter rape victims from reporting what had happened to them.

"The debate also shined a light on BYU's struggle to balance its moral principles with treating sexual-assault victims fairly. ..."

BYU advisory council recommends amnesty clause — Ginny Romney | The Deseret News

" ... The advisory council made 23 recommendations, including an amnesty clause for sexual assault victims and a new physical space for the Title IX office that is separate from the Honor Code office. The university is adopting all 23 recommendations explained in the council's full report. ..."

Of course, there's more work to be done: