Attorney General Becerra Blasts Department of Education Decision to Roll Back Protections for Survivors of Campus Sexual Violence

SACRAMENTO - Today, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra blasted U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ announcement that she will significantly scale back Title IX protections for students who are survivors of sexual violence on college campuses:

“Students in California, and across the country, pursue higher education with the hope of earning a degree, landing their dream job and making a difference,” said Attorney General Becerra. “When those college students become victims of sexual violence, we should do everything we can to help them, not slash protections in place to ensure their safety. It should be the Department of Education’s number one goal to ensure all students can learn in a safe environment. Secretary DeVos should be ashamed of her decision to surrender protections and robust efforts implemented by Title IX that hold schools accountable.”

The Obama Administration previously took critical steps to create safer climates on campuses and ensure that victims have the confidence to come forward and get the help they need. On July 19, Attorney General Becerra, along with 19 fellow attorneys general, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos expressing serious concerns regarding reports that the Department of Education was prepared to undo Title IX protections for survivors of sexual assault on college campuses. The letter questions the Department of Education’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Candice Jackson’s ability to oversee a fair process for evaluating sexual assault policies given her highly troubling public comments surrounding sexual assault.