Biden blasts ‘shameful’ DeVos move on campus sexual assault policy
Former Vice President Joe Biden blasted Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for issuing new temporary guidance to universities on how to handle sexual assault cases, a rollback of the guidelines put in place under former President Obama.
“Today’s Title IX decision is shameful, but the law is still the law. Colleges & universities must honor obligations to students & survivors,” Biden said in a tweet Friday.
Today’s Title IX decision is shameful, but the law is still the law. Colleges & universities must honor obligations to students & survivors.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 22, 2017
DeVos says changes to the government policy are aimed to better protect both the victims and students accused of such conduct, which can often get students suspended or expelled.
The new rules demand a higher standard of evidence for the charges than those in place under Obama’s directive. Universities must now have a “clear and convincing standard” of evidence in order to rule on campus sexual assault cases.
Biden is the latest critic to oppose the new policy, after many have claimed that the new rules are too lenient on those accused of sexual assault. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said in a statement Friday, “The decision shows the Trump Administration’s utter disregard for survivors of sexual assault.”
DeVos said the Department of Education is working to “craft a new Title IX regulation that better serves students and schools.”
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