"The Department of Education-once the leading force for cracking down on colleges that mishandled cases of sexual assault and harassment-has now all but given up on sexual violence investigations, a new report from the Associated Press shows. Under administrations past, the department's Office for Civil Rights would take on dozens of new cases each year, AP said, but since Trump took office a year ago Tuesday, it has opened fewer than 10. Meanwhile, it's accumulated a backlog of more than 25,000 cases."
"The investigations that have been pursued have focused largely on a different sexual discrimination topic-the rights of transgender athletes. Nearly 50 cases have been opened concerning institutions that allow trans women to participate in women's sports, the AP reported. These cases have gained momentum on the grounds that the institutions involved are violating Title IX, a law focused on gender equality."
Department of Education enforcement of sexual assault and harassment complaints has sharply declined. The Office for Civil Rights opened fewer than ten new cases since the administration change and accumulated a backlog exceeding 25,000 cases. Historically, the OCR took on dozens of new cases each year and reached voluntary agreements with dozens of schools; 58 voluntary agreements were reached in 2018, but none have been reached recently. Investigations pursued have largely targeted transgender athlete participation, with nearly 50 cases alleging Title IX violations for allowing trans women in women's sports. Staff cuts and shifting priorities have slowed case handling, leaving many complainants to litigate or abandon complaints.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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