SAVE: Opposition Grows to Dept. of Ed Sex Assault Directive

Last April the Dept. of Education's (DED) stirred up a hornet's nest when it released its new sexual assault policy that requires colleges to change their standard of proof from the "clear and convincing" standard to a "preponderance of evidence." Adding fuel to the fire, Sen. Patrick Leahy's recent discussion draft of the Violence Against Women Act includes the DED's directive, which would turn the controversial policy into statutory law.

To date, the American Association of University Professors, the National Association of Scholars, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and SAVE have all come out against the DED policy: http://www.saveservices.org/falsely-accused/sex-assault/complaints/

And a spate of editorials has condemned the policy as hastening the end of due process and free speech on American campuses. In her September 7 essay, columnist Anna Rittgers openly admitted, "Sometimes, women lie about rape." To date, over 30 editorials have criticized the policy in the strongest terms: http://www.saveservices.org/camp/ded-editorials

Now, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is urging citizens to contact their Senators to request they reject the DED directive in the draft VAWA bill. "Colleges have both a legal and a moral duty to address sexual assault on campus, but working to eliminate such crimes does not require colleges and universities to forsake fundamental student rights," explains Robert Shibley, FIRE's Senior Vice President.

Sign FIRE's petition here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5896/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8575 and help bring an end to this travesty of justice.

Thank you for your help on this important matter!

Sincerely,

Teri Stoddard, Program Director
Stop Abusive and Violent Environments
www.saveservices.org