New Federal Policy puts victims of sexual assault at greater risk

CHARLESTON, West Virginia —  Fairness West Virginia Executive Director Andrew Schneider issued the following statement about the U.S. Department of Education's change in Title IX policy: 

"Federal officials should not put college students in danger by weaponizing Title IX. Their new policy attacks transgender people under the guise of protecting women.

This rule change severely limits protections for victims of sexual misconduct on college campuses and universities’ responsibility to hold student perpetrators accountable for their actions. 

This is just another example of a lame attempt by the federal government to divert attention away from the real problems we face, like economic instability, endless foreign wars, and access to affordable healthcare for all. 

People are tired of it. 

Every side of this public discussion agrees that all sexual misconduct should be reported and punished. This rule makes that sort of accountability more difficult to attain.

Instead of providing more protections for women from sexual misconduct, this rule provides more protections for perpetrators of sexual misconduct while trying to trick Americans into believing transgender students are the real danger."

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Please direct questions and interview requests to Lacie Pierson, Communications Director, at 681-265-9062 or lacie@fairnesswv.org.

Fairness West Virginia is the statewide civil rights advocacy organization dedicated to fair treatment and civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer West Virginians. Our mission is to ensure LGBTQ+ people can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, and in the community. We are open to everyone who believes in fundamental fairness.