(Concord, NH) - Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement on proposed changes to Title IX reported in the New York Times. The reported proposals include the narrowing of the definition of sexual harassment, the establishment of a higher legal standard to hold schools accountable for wrongdoing, changes to the way survivors are able to come forward with complaints, and constraints on the purview schools have to investigate accusations against students.

“The ability to feel safe from sexual violence and sexual harassment on campus is an integral part of the pursuit of an education,” said Kuster. “Sadly, the changes to Title IX protections reportedly being considered by the Trump Administration take us in the wrong direction and will undermine protections for students.  The reported proposals would not only make it harder for survivors to pursue justice and accountability but also undermine efforts to stop sexual violence and harassment at colleges across the country.  Our students deserve better and I will continue to stand against efforts by Secretary DeVos and the Trump Administration to undermine protections for students.”

Congresswoman Kuster has been an advocate on this important issue,  speaking about her personal experience with sexual violence and launching the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence with her colleagues in 2017. The Task Force focuses on K-12 education, college campus safety, the rape kit backlog, military sexual trauma, improved data and collection, online harassment, and law enforcement training.  The Task Force has held hearings on its areas of focus and released a legislative agenda in July that includes legislation related to campus safety.

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