FreedomWorks Foundation Files Formal Comment with the Department of Education Opposing Changes to Reporting of Incidents of Rape, Alleged Rape, and Sexual Assault

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, FreedomWorks Foundation filed a formal comment with the Department of Education opposing the Biden Administration’s proposal to change the data that school districts need to report to the Department. Among the categories of data the Department would no longer be asking for involved cases in which school staff were involved in student rape, alleged rape, and sexual assault.

Adam Brandon, FreedomWorks President, commented:

“Incidents of sexual violence have been on the rise across our nation’s schools. In the 2015 through 2016 school year, there were 9,600 incidents. In the 2017 through 2018 school year, there were almost 15,000. This represents a 55 percent increase.”

“In response, Secretary DeVos took the commonsense step of asking schools across the country to correctly report incidents of student rape, alleged rape, or sexual assault when school staff: resigned or retired prior to final discipline or termination, were responsible or were not responsible for the offense, or had a determination that remained pending or were reassigned to another school prior to final discipline or termination. Parents need this data to make the best possible choice when considering what school to send their child to.”

“Three months ago, the Biden Administration proposed eliminating this data entirely. After a loud outcry from parents across the country, the Department changed course. Instead of saying it would rescind the reporting requirement, it only asked for comments on the reporting requirement. This represented a huge win for parents.”

“FreedomWorks submitted a number of comments from concerned parents that told the Biden Administration that at a time when sexual violence in schools is on the rise, this was the absolute worst time to remove the Trump-era regulation. Thankfully, the Department has somewhat reversed course. FreedomWorks will always stand for the rights of parents to make an informed choice when they consider what school to send their child to.”