“Survivors of sexual assault already face enormous obstacles in coming forward to report what was done to them, and that’s without having to deal with yet another one of Betsy DeVos’ crusades to erode our educational institutions. Let us be crystal clear: these changes to Title IX will open our student survivors up to more trauma and less support in some of their greatest times of need. Right here in Michigan, the Spartan and Wolverine communities continue to reel from the impacts of the widespread abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar, Robert Anderson and many other predators, compounded by the inaction of university officials who ignored their duty to protect their students.

“As elected officials and members of the Progressive Women’s Caucus Executive Committee, we recognize we have a duty to speak out against these unconscionable changes on behalf of survivors in Michigan and beyond. We stand firmly in support of Gov. Whitmer, Attorney General Nessel and the 17 additional attorneys general from across the country in defending the integrity of Title IX for generations to come.”

Members of the Progressive Women’s Caucus Executive Committee include state Reps. Kristy Pagan, Kyra Bolden, Mari Manoogian, Rachel Hood and state Sen. Stephanie Chang.

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