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Bonamici Responds to DeVos Replacing Title IX, Campus Sexual Assault Policies

September 7, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC [09/07/17] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) released the following statement after Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced the US Department of Education would begin the process of making changes to guidance intended to encourage schools to protect students from campus sexual assaults.

"I'm disappointed that Secretary DeVos and the US Department of Education have again signaled their intent to abandon policies designed to protect students. Across the country, students are arriving on college campuses and entering what's known as the ‘red zone,' a period of time during the first few months of college when they are at high risk of sexual assault. I have repeatedly called on Secretary DeVos to stand up for sexual assault survivors, and it is unacceptable that the Department is slowing efforts to address systemic campus-based sexual assault. The guidance issued under former President Obama took steps to push academic institutions to combat sexual violence. We should be building on that progress, not reversing it.

"All cases of campus sexual harassment and assault must be taken seriously and survivors must be treated with compassion. I urge the Department – as well as Congress – to take Title IX protections seriously and focus on how we can work together to support students so they have a positive academic experience in a safe environment."

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