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Former Vice President Joe Biden addresses sexual assault on college campuses during speech in Indy

Posted at 9:00 AM, Feb 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-09 23:53:10-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former United States Vice President Joe Biden was in Indianapolis Friday speaking to students about combating sexual assault on college campuses.

Biden was the keynote speaker at the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values conference for college officials and fraternity and sorority leaders.

The former vice president discussed the "It's On Us to Stop Sexual Assault" campaign, a non-profit organization he co-founded in 2014.

The "It's On Us" campaign challenges colleges to make efforts to end sexual violence on campuses.

The former vice president told students that sexual assault is a "cultural problem" and it's only going to change if they get involved.

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Biden explained that if consent can't be given, it's a crime.  He says students have an obligation to step in.

"The only way we're going to change a culture is if everyone takes a stand. But, until abusers are labeled the pariahs that they are, this cultural phenomenon is going to continue," said Biden.

The former vice president also told the student their schools need a victims unit, and people who are trained to help victims who come forward.

Biden says men on campus need to take more responsibility to change the culture.

"You guys have to raise hell on your campus if your campus doesn't have adequate protection and/or adequate recourse. Speak up. Go to the president of the university. Go to the administrators. Insist that. Cause that's what's going to change it," said Biden.

Click here to learn more about the "It's On Us" campaign. 

The former vice president also referenced incidents of sexual assault in Hollywood, the news business, and the recent domestic abuse scandal involving a former White House aide.

While in Indianapolis, Biden was also helping raise money for Senator Joe Donnelly in his re-election campaign.

WATCH BIDEN'S FULL SPEECH BELOW: