Editor’s Note: Readers should be aware that this article has content pertaining to sexual assault and domestic violence. If you identify as a survivor of gender-based violence and want to reach out for support, visit du.edu/CAPE for confidential resources and contact information. 

Last Monday, new regulations for sexual misconduct on college campuses were proposed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The goal of these regulations is to “cement domestic and dating violence and stalking as forms of gender discrimination.”

In a statement regarding these changes, DeVos said, “Throughout this process, my focus was, is, and always will be on ensuring that every student can learn in a safe and nurturing environment.”

The regulations proposed will include protection for victims of stalking and dating violence, a direct response to the failure of colleges to do so. The regulations will force schools to offer “academic course adjustments, counseling, no-contact orders, dorm room reassignments, leaves of absence, class schedule changes,” and many other resources for victims.

One of the stories that impacted these new regulations was the case of Lauren McCluskey. She was a victim of domestic violence, and many of her classmates from the University of Utah reported her bruises and behavior to school officials. The school failed to act, and the last words her parents heard from her over the phone were “No, no, no, no,” before she was shoved into a trunk and shot seven times by her boyfriend.

McCluskey is not the only victim whose campus failed her. A Western Michigan University student found herself in a nightmare trying to decide whether or not she should go face her sexual assaulters at a hearing or decline to attend. If she attended the hearing, she would be forced to listen to her assaulters verbally beat her down and discredit her story. But if she did not attend, she risked letting them get away without punishment. Countless victims are in similar binds, and in both scenarios, the student feels horrible and helpless. 

This is why DeVos’ proposed regulations are important—they will work to assure the safety of victims and force campuses to act and protect their students. The new regulations will require schools to respond meaningfully to all sexual harassment reports they receive. This is very essential for our school, in particular. It is not unknown throughout campus the issues DU has with sexual assault.

In January, an Instagram page called “@wecanDUbetter” surfaced as a space for victims of sexual assault to share their experiences. One of the stories involved a woman coming home from a party. She said, “He raped me and left me alone in the dark. I was too afraid and embarrassed to call the police, so I got the courage to head back to my dorm.” Her rape led to an unwanted pregnancy and abortion, and shortly after, she was kicked out of DU. She had become mentally ill to the point of attempting suicide.

At DU and elsewhere, unfortunately, it is common for schools to fail to respond to sexual assault reports. It is extremely upsetting, as an individual should not feel so unsupported by their community it impacts their education and they are forced to leave. DU and other college campuses need to find better ways to protect their students and help victims of sexual assault. Currently, victims struggle to have a voice and when they do speak up, their reports are ignored. 

Luckily, these regulations are very likely to pass given the number of stories told by victims of sexual assault for this change. To reinforce these laws and incentivize colleges to follow them, the government will most likely use funding. Many colleges are federally-funded and if they fail to comply with new regulations, they are in danger of losing this support.

With these new proposed regulations that reinforce Title IX, it will hopefully make campus safer and force DU’s administration to take action. Students are tired of being afraid. Tired of always having to look over their shoulders when they walk late from class to their homes. We want to be heard. We want a safer community.