.@IWF calls on Congress to clarify federal law on campus sexual assault. #TitleIX #IWlaw #IWed #IWregs

Washington, DC -- @IWF applauds the U.S. Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for taking the first step toward clarifying federal law on campus sexual assault.

As an organization dedicated to expanding women’s freedom, choices, and opportunities, IWF takes seriously any and all allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse. And as an organization committed to fairness and due process, IWF understands that allegations of

sexual misconduct must be evaluated on the basis of the evidence and on the credibility of the witnesses. That is why IWF is so pleased to see that the Senate is taking steps to address confusion surrounding current law.

At a hearing on Tuesday, April 2, entitled “Addressing Campus Sexual Assault and Ensuring Student Safety and Rights,” Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander highlighted the often conflicting legal obligations that colleges and universities face when it comes to

campus assault. Sen. Alexander expressed hope that Congress can clarify the law this year as part a comprehensive reauthorization the Higher Education Act. Yesterday’s hearing comes seven months after Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos repealed Obama-era guidelines,

adopted without valid legal authority and without public notice and comment, that led many schools to develop procedures that severely curtailed due process for the accused. In November 2018, Secretary DeVos unveiled new draft regulations that aim to restore fairness

and balance to in sexual misconduct tribunals on campus. The draft regulations are a significant improvement over the previous guidance because they take seriously the rights of both the accuser and the accused

and define sexual harassment in accordance with Supreme Court precedent. IWF asserts, however, that the Department lacks the legal authority to specify campus disciplinary procedures under

Title IX, the law that prohibits educational institutions that receive federal funding from discriminating on the basis of sex.

Keep reading→ shar.es/amIXbV #TitleIX #sexualassault #IWlaw #IWed #IWregs