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Betsy DeVos has proposed new protections for students who are accused of sexual assault, and victims’ advocates are turning their heads.
Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, announced her proposal for the way colleges and universities deal with sexual assault cases. The proposal would add protections for students accused of assault and harassment and distinguish the specific cases that institutions would be required to investigate, according to CNBC.
In DeVos’ plan, it would be mandatory for schools to investigate complaints only if the incident happened on campus or areas managed by the school, and only if the victim reported the incident to campus officials with the authority to take action. The Education Department says the proposal will be fair for both the alleged victim and the accused. In addition, the department claims this will be beneficial for students who do not want to file formal complaints that could trigger an investigation.
“Throughout this process, my focus was, is, and always will be on ensuring that every student can learn in a safe and nurturing environment,” DeVos said in a statement. “That starts with having clear policies and fair processes that every student can rely on. Every survivor of sexual violence must be taken seriously, and every student accused of sexual misconduct must know that guilt is not predetermined.”
Many politicians and anti-sexual assault advocates are not fond of the new plan, as they feel it will only allow people to get away with sexual assault. “It will return schools to a time where rape, assault, and harassment were swept under the rug,” said Jess Davidson, interim executive director of the group End Rape on Campus, adding that the proposal is “worse than we thought.” Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., tweeted out that DeVos “won’t get away with what you are doing.”
The plans have yet to be finalized.
