Reports indicate a sharp decline in new sexual violence investigations by the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights following mass layoffs and policy shifts under the Trump administration. While the office has reduced its focus on sexual assault complaints, it has reportedly increased investigations into schools that accommodate transgender students, using Title IX to challenge trans-inclusive policies. Advocates for gender equality warn that this shift leaves victims of sexual violence with fewer avenues for justice.
Date: January 16, 2026. Source: apnews.com