New federal guidelines, set to take effect in August, have sparked outrage among advocacy groups who allege they prioritize the rights of accused perpetrators over survivors of sexual misconduct. The rules, championed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, redefine sexual harassment, mandate live cross-examinations, and limit the scope of investigations, raising concerns about a chilling effect on reporting and a systemic failure to protect survivors.
Advocacy groups supporting survivors of sexual harassment and assault are vehemently opposing federal guidelines set to take effect in August that dictate how all public and private U.S. schools, including higher education institutions, must handle allegations involving students. These new rules, unveiled by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, are intended to replace Obama-era guidance that DeVos suspended in 2017 after consultations with 'men's rights' groups.
Critics argue that the new regulations, while scaled back from DeVos' initial proposal in 2018, still unfairly prioritize the rights of the accused and discourage reporting sexual misconduct. Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), expressed serious concerns that survivors will be denied their civil rights and face a chilling effect on reporting assaults if these rules are implemented. Graves declared, 'We refuse to go back to the days when rape and harassment in schools were ignored and swept under the rug.' She emphasized their commitment to fight this 'unlawful rule' in court, arguing that DeVos' actions aim to turn Title IX, a law designed to protect all students, into one that shields abusers and harassers. Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, echoed Graves' concerns, branding DeVos' policy an 'abomination' and a betrayal of Title IX's original purpose. She warned that the new rules will silence students who have experienced sexual misconduct and limit their educational opportunities, characterizing them as part of the administration's broader effort to undermine student civil rights.Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser swiftly announced his state's intention to challenge the federal policy, asserting that it weakens schools' ability to enact stricter policies and hinders access to justice for victims. Weiser voiced alarm that the new rules 'threaten to prevent or discourage victims from coming forward and receiving the justice and protection they deserve.' The New York Times detailed DeVos' overhaul of school Title IX proceedings in a comprehensive report spanning over 2,000 pages. The new regulations narrow the definition of sexual harassment and mandate live hearings where student victims and perpetrators can be cross-examined to assess their credibility. The rules also impose limitations on the complaints that schools are obligated to investigate, requiring them to be filed through a formal process and brought to the attention of officials with the authority to take corrective action. Schools will only be responsible for investigating incidents occurring within their programs and activities and have the discretion to choose between 'preponderance of evidence' and 'clear and convincing evidence' as the standard for determining student responsibility in misconduct cases. DeVos, in a video statement, emphasized that the new policy 'requires schools to act in meaningful ways to support survivors of sexual misconduct, without sacrificing important safeguards to ensure a fair and transparent process.' The Education Department portrayed DeVos' actions as 'historic' and emphasized the extensive research, deliberation, and public input that informed these changes, highlighting over 124,000 public comments received. However, the Know Your IX project countered these assertions, pointing out in a series of tweets that the policy fundamentally 'tips the scales in favor named abusers and protects universities and their bottom lines.
TITLE IX Sexual Harassment Assault Education Policy Betsy Devos Devos Administration Advocacy Groups Student Rights Survivor Support
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Roundtable Report — Lara Trump: Trump ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ Moment Made Republican Party CoolSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Lara Trump Says Trump's 'Fight, Fight, Fight' Moment and Podcast Outreach Made Republicans 'Cool'Lara Trump, former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, credits President Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and the GOP's use of podcasts for reaching a wider audience.
Read more »
Georgia Ethics Commission Fines Advocacy Groups Founded by Stacey AbramsThe Georgia Ethics Commission levied a $300,000 fine against two advocacy groups, the New Georgia Project and its affiliated New Georgia Project Action Fund, for illegal electioneering activities. The groups, founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams, failed to register as independent campaign committees and disclose campaign contributions and spending during the 2018 and 2019 election cycles.
Read more »
Advocacy groups unite in Tacoma for Inauguration Day demonstration against Trump policiesWithin hours of President Donald Trump taking office, people in Tacoma and elsewhere plan to demonstrate against the new administration.
Read more »
Advocacy Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Transgender Troops BanAdvocacy groups are preparing to sue President Trump's administration over an executive order that directs the Pentagon to revise its policy on transgender troops, likely leading to a ban on their service. This legal challenge echoes a previous battle against Trump's transgender troop ban during his first term.
Read more »
Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump's Funding Freeze, Giving Win to Advocacy GroupsA U.S. judge has temporarily blocked part of President Trump's sweeping directive to pause federal grants, loans and other financial aid, citing concerns over its potential to disrupt programs serving millions of Americans.
Read more »