Betsy DeVos on Families & Children

OpEd: Stricter rules for sexual harassment mean some ignored

[Under newly-proposed guidelines], DeVos would narrow incidents involving students that require school response to sexual assault or sexual harassment "so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive" it denies access to education. Schools would only be found in violation if they don't respond to formal reports or multiple complaints about the same person made to an official with authority to respond.

Catherine Lhamon, who helped develop Obama's Department of Education guidance, said she's concerned that DeVos's changes would allow schools to ignore some reports of sexual misconduct. "This administration now tips the favor to accused students," Lhamon said. "We could see a return to the bad old days. This draft offers schools permission to turn away."