Fewer Eyes on Campus Violence: How Layoffs Hit School Safety

The Education Department's role in tackling sexual violence on campuses has taken a hit. Once a strong force, it's now struggling to keep up. The Office for Civil Rights, which handles these cases, saw half its lawyers go in a round of layoffs. This has left over 25, 000 cases waiting to be looked at. The number of new investigations into sexual violence has dropped sharply. Before the layoffs, dozens of cases were opened each year. Now, fewer than 10 have started nationwide. Yet, the office has been busy with another type of case. It's been looking into schools that make allowances for transgender students and athletes. Nearly 50 such cases have been opened since the current administration took over. Critics say the office was already moving too slow before the layoffs. Now, many law firms have stopped filing complaints. They see it as a waste of time. One lawyer said it feels like fighting against nothing. Another asked how schools can be held accountable when no one is watching. The Education Department says it's working through the backlog. It blames the previous administration for leaving a mess and changing rules to protect LGBTQ+ students. The current administration has reversed those rules. It claims to be protecting students' dignity and safety.The layoffs have hit all areas of the office, but sexual violence cases feel the pinch most. Students who feel wronged by their schools have few places to turn. They can sue or give up. One woman, who says her school failed to act on her complaint of sexual assault, has decided to sue. She feels alone in her fight. The civil rights office was meant to be a free alternative to lawsuits. Anyone can file a complaint, which can lead to investigations and penalties for schools that break the law. In 2024, over 1, 000 complaints about sexual violence or harassment were filed. It's unclear how many have been filed recently. The administration hasn't shared new numbers. Before the last election, the office had over 300 pending investigations into sexual assault. Most of these cases are likely sitting unused as investigators focus on easier complaints. Past cases show why this work is important. In one case, a girl with a disability was put back on a bus driven by a man who had sexually touched her. In another, a boy was assaulted after a wrestling practice, but the school treated it as hazing. Cases that do get attention are handled under rules made during the current administration's first term. These rules aim to protect students accused of misconduct. But with fewer people working on these cases, many are left in limbo.