Currently, coaches, athletic directors, faculty, residential life staff, and other college employees are mandatory reporters and have a legal obligation under Title IX to formally come forward when sexual assault allegations are made. Michigan State famously had to pay a $4.5 million for not disclosing the allegations against convicted abuser and MSU and US Olympic gymnastic team doctor Larry Nassar.  

$4.5 million dollars is a pathetic punishment when compared to the scale of abuse that Michigan State facilitated, but starting on Friday the potential consequences for burying abuse go down to 0.

That’s right, Betsy DeVos’ Title IX reforms remove athletic personnel’s mandatory reporter status. It will now be completely legal for them to sweep allegations under the rug and continue business as usual. We cannot allow students to return to campus under the threat of both COVID-19 AND sexual assault. Sign now to let Congress know this is unacceptable!