Statement on New DeVos Title IX Regulations
The Every Voice Coalition stands against the new policies and calls our community to action
May 7, 2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released her new Title IX regulations - policies that dictate how universities respond to reported cases of sexual violence. Let us be clear up front: students do not agree with these regulations and we will be fighting every step of the way.
Despite receiving widespread criticism from advocates, educators, and students to her original provisions released in 2018, DeVos' newly released policies dissuade reporting, blame those impacted by sexual violence, and diminish accountability for perpetrators of violence, consequently sustaining the relentless cycle of violence on campuses.
Rather than progress or meaningful reform, DeVos’ provisions fail to ensure student safety or support those impacted by sexual violence. For example, her provisions narrow the definition of sexual violence, limit which cases a university can hear, and subject students alleging sexual violence to cross-examination. Overall, these practices create re-traumatizing and trauma-inducing reporting environments for students impacted by sexual violence. As a result, students are less likely to seek university accountability for the violence inflicted on them.
In fact, in a 2018 analysis, the Department of Education predicted that these new provisions will reduce campus reports by as much as 50%. All but devoid of trauma-informed practices, the regulations ultimately serve to discourage survivors from pursuing university accountability and create new institutional barriers to support and reporting.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released her new Title IX regulations - policies that dictate how universities respond to reported cases of sexual violence. Let us be clear up front: students do not agree with these regulations and we will be fighting every step of the way.
Despite receiving widespread criticism from advocates, educators, and students to her original provisions released in 2018, DeVos' newly released policies dissuade reporting, blame those impacted by sexual violence, and diminish accountability for perpetrators of violence, consequently sustaining the relentless cycle of violence on campuses.
Rather than progress or meaningful reform, DeVos’ provisions fail to ensure student safety or support those impacted by sexual violence. For example, her provisions narrow the definition of sexual violence, limit which cases a university can hear, and subject students alleging sexual violence to cross-examination. Overall, these practices create re-traumatizing and trauma-inducing reporting environments for students impacted by sexual violence. As a result, students are less likely to seek university accountability for the violence inflicted on them.
In fact, in a 2018 analysis, the Department of Education predicted that these new provisions will reduce campus reports by as much as 50%. All but devoid of trauma-informed practices, the regulations ultimately serve to discourage survivors from pursuing university accountability and create new institutional barriers to support and reporting.
The announcement marks a significant setback for survivors’ rights in America. However, students will not be silent.
The Every Voice Coalition supports actions to challenge these regulations in court and is actively pursuing state-level legislation to codify protections for student safety and support.
We call upon students, universities, advocates, and legislators to join us in this fight, together. As a community and individuals, we have the power to resist a culture of silence and inaction.
We will continue to work for a culture of accountability where all students are free from gender-based discrimination and violence, and have unrestricted educational opportunities.
Join us.
The Every Voice Coalition supports actions to challenge these regulations in court and is actively pursuing state-level legislation to codify protections for student safety and support.
We call upon students, universities, advocates, and legislators to join us in this fight, together. As a community and individuals, we have the power to resist a culture of silence and inaction.
We will continue to work for a culture of accountability where all students are free from gender-based discrimination and violence, and have unrestricted educational opportunities.
Join us.
The Every Voice Coalition is a student-led coalition including students, survivors, advocates, and experts who believe that more needs to be done to make our campuses safe for all students. Working the support of our partners including Know Your IX, End Rape on Campus, and SurvJustice, Every Voice bills have now been filed in five states: Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Illinois, and Connecticut. Today, more than 100,000 supporters have signed on in support of the Every Voice legislation. Students across the country agree: every voice should be heard.