Is there really a high prevalence of women falsely claiming “rape” on college campuses after regretting sexual encounters? Are accusations of domestic violence exaggerated? Are numerous women leveraging claims against wealthy individuals or ex-partners for financial gain, vengeance, or attention? Do delayed reports of rape suggest that the accusers are lying?
Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education, is preparing to engage with “men’s rights” groups that would unequivocally affirm these questions. During this meeting, she will hear personal accounts from men asserting they were wrongfully accused of rape, allowing her to consider their perspectives.
Why is She Seeking Counsel from These Organizations?
DeVos is at a crossroads regarding the continuation of Obama-era guidelines on campus sexual assault, which were established in 2011 and heavily endorsed by then-Vice President Joe Biden. These guidelines significantly impacted campus culture by urging institutions to proactively address sexual assault, facilitating survivors’ reporting and ensuring protections for victims. They also stipulated that sexual violence should be classified legally as sexual harassment, thus falling under Title IX protections.
DeVos faces a clear choice: uphold these essential policies or revert to a time when victims were coerced into signing nondisclosure agreements, and universities could delay action on allegations for extended periods.
Groups advocating against sexual violence have long been concerned about DeVos’s potential opposition to their cause. During her confirmation hearings, she notably refrained from expressing support for the Obama administration’s protections, indicating that she wanted to hear from the accused before backing policies that protect survivors.
Moreover, her family foundation has funded an organization campaigning to dismantle these protections. The acting head of the Office for Civil Rights, who works under DeVos, has labeled women accusing high-profile individuals of sexual assault as “fake victims.”
What Do We Know About the “Men’s Rights” Groups?
One such organization, Stop Abusive Environments (SAVE), has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for promoting misogynistic views. Their agenda includes minimizing penalties for domestic violence offenders and asserting that “true victims” are those who have been falsely accused. They advocate for allowing intrusive inquiries into a victim’s sexual history during legal proceedings.
Another group, the National Coalition for Men, has a history of intimidation tactics against survivors of sexual assault, having published their names and photographs, branding them as “false accusers.” Its president has dismissed domestic violence and sexual assault legislation as part of a “men’s violence industry,” even going so far as to claim that women often provoke violence against them.
Despite these troubling associations, it is encouraging to note that DeVos has also met with sexual assault survivors and advocacy organizations. They likely presented her with critical information regarding sexual assault and domestic violence, such as:
- The rate of false accusations of sexual assault is exceptionally low, with studies indicating rates as low as 2%, similar to other felonies.
- Of those rare false accusations, only a minute fraction result in the accused being publicly identified or prosecuted.
- Approximately 40% of sexual crimes are never reported.
As a parent to both a son and a daughter, I hope DeVos takes these statistics into account after her meetings with “men’s rights” and “accused’s rights” advocates, as she deliberates on the future of protections for sexual assault survivors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while DeVos’s outreach to these controversial groups raises significant concerns regarding the potential rollback of essential protections for victims, the voices of survivors must remain central in this critical discussion about justice and support for those affected by sexual violence. For further insights into home insemination options, check out this blog post on home insemination kit. For a comprehensive guide on artificial insemination, visit this authority on the topic. Additionally, for more information on intrauterine insemination, refer to this excellent resource.