Title IX guidance around sexual assault on college campuses appears to be in for an update, according to remarks from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
In a meeting with the media on Thursday, the secretary acknowledged both sides of what has become a partisan issue, referencing the struggles of sexual assault survivors to make their voices heard while also emphasizing that the due process rights of the accused must be protected.
“No student should be the victim of sexual assault,” DeVos said, reading from prepared remarks. “No student should feel unsafe. No student should feel that there isn’t a way to seek justice, and no student should feel that the scales of justice are tipped against him or her.”
Earlier on Thursday, DeVos and other ED officials met with sexual assault victims, due process advocates and university leaders in listening sessions at the department that were closed to the press. The secretary characterized the listening sessions as part of an ongoing “conversation” that the department intended to continue with survivors, the accused and campus leaders.
“Today was a time to listen,” she said.
DeVos declined to reveal specific policy changes ED might make to Title IX and the Office for Civil Rights’ guidance to colleges and universities on sexual assault, but said that the department intends to review evidentiary standards and due process as they relate to adjudicating sexual assault cases, as well as a “lack of public input.”
“Today’s summit made it clear to me that there’s work to be done,” DeVos said. “This issue is hurting too many students, so we’ll get to work to figure out the best way to solve this problem, to stop and reduce sexual harassment and assault while respecting due process and the rule of law.”
