WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) issued the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced a decision to begin new rulemaking on protections for survivors of campus sexual assault:
“Today’s announcement by Secretary DeVos sends a disturbing message to survivors of rape and campus sexual assault. Rather than strengthening our existing protections for survivors of campus sexual violence, the Trump Administration is indicating their intention to turn back the clock on policies that hold perpetrators accountable and protect survivors of sexual assault on our college campuses. This is dangerous.
“Last year, after a brave survivor from Stanford University shared her story with the world, I spoke on the House Floor about this epidemic. I said it then and I will say it again today – far too many women are sexually assaulted during their undergraduate years, and I will not stay silent until meaningful action is taken by Congress on this issue.
“Survivors of campus sexual assault are our daughters, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers and our peers. They deserve better than today’s announcement by the Department of Education.”
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