May, 06 2020, 12:00am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Maria Patrick,,mpatrick@nwlc.org,,Olympia Feil,,ofeil@nwlc.org,,202.588.5180
NWLC Responds to Department of Education's Gutting of Protections For Sexual Assault Survivors
Today, the Department of Education released finalized regulations that radically weaken the federal enforcement of Title IX protections against sexual assault and other forms of sexual harassment in schools.
The following is a statement by Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women's Law Center (NWLC):
WASHINGTON
Today, the Department of Education released finalized regulations that radically weaken the federal enforcement of Title IX protections against sexual assault and other forms of sexual harassment in schools.
The following is a statement by Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women's Law Center (NWLC):
" Betsy DeVos and the Trump Administration are dead set on making schools more dangerous for everyone - even during a global pandemic. Releasing this rule during the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 unveils a disturbing set of priorities. And if this rule goes into effect, survivors will be denied their civil rights and will get the message loud and clear that there is no point in reporting assault. We refuse to go back to the days when rape and harassment in schools were ignored and swept under the rug. And we won't let DeVos succeed in requiring schools to be complicit in harassment, turning Title IX from a law that protects all students into a law that protects abusers and harassers. We will fight this unlawful rule in the courts."
The Center has worked for more than 40 years to protect and promote equality and opportunity for women and families. We champion policies and laws that help women and girls achieve their potential at every stage of their lives -- at school, at work, at home, and in retirement. Our staff are committed advocates who take on the toughest challenges, especially for the most vulnerable women.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders mocked Jeff Bezos on Tuesday after the editorial board of the newspaper owned by the Amazon founder denounced his plan to tax billionaires' wealth.
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[image or embed]
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The stated goal of the meeting—protecting children's access to education in conflict zones—has also been undermined by President Donald Trump.
As the Associated Press reported, the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict was among the UN offices that have suffered funding cuts under the Trump administration, with the White House withdrawing US support for its work in January.
UNESCO and the UN Children's Fund have also faced drastic funding reductions.
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Trump led the session the same day that Democracy for the Arab World Now called for an emergency General Assembly session to "declare the assault a war of aggression in violation of the UN Charter and to demand the immediate cessation of all hostilities.”
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