Dem Rep. Blasts DeVos For Refusing To Meet With Nassar Abuse Victims

on March 5, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL - MARCH 07: U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks to the news during a press conference held at the Heron Bay Marriott about her visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on M... CORAL SPRINGS, FL - MARCH 07: U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks to the news during a press conference held at the Heron Bay Marriott about her visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on March 7, 2018 in Coral Springs, Florida. DeVos was visiting the high school following the February 14 shooting that killed 17 people. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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While attempting to chip away at Obama-era guidelines on campus sexual assault, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said she won’t meet with the victims who were sexually abused by ex-Michigan State and Olympic gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) told the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday that after a discussion on DeVos’ proposed changes to Title IX, the education secretary turned down Slotkin’s invitation to meet with the survivors of Nassar’s abuse.

DeVos told Slotkin in a letter that it would be “inappropriate to speak to survivors” because the Education Department is currently investigating Michigan State’s handling of the shocking allegations of child abuse against Nassar.

“I have the utmost respect for the bravery displayed by the survivors of his despicable sexual assaults. Therefore I want to thank you for your request that I meet with Michigan State University Title IX survivor-advocates to hear about their experience and how to prevent sexual assault on college campuses,” she wrote, according to the report. “However, as you are no doubt aware, the law prevents me from doing so at this time.”

Slotkin blasted DeVos’ “legalistic response.”

“I am deeply disappointed that Secretary DeVos – a Michigander and someone in a position of great leadership and authority to protect students’ safety and access to education – has never met with a survivor of Nassar’s abuse, a tragedy that has shaken the community to its core in our state,” Slotkin said. “It appears she is ignoring the very lessons we have learned from the Nassar tragedy.”

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  1. “inappropriate to speak to survivors”

    That is the first time i heard that used as a excuse.

  2. “However, as you are no doubt aware, the law prevents me from doing so at this time.”

    That’s the biggest pile of horse manure I’ve ever heard. The freakazoid has already been tried and convicted. What is there to prevent her from doing so beyond her lying excuse, other than her fear she’ll be mistaken for an actual Secretary of Education if she does so? Nope. Can’t have that, can we?

  3. I don’t mind jumping all over Betsy but she might actually be prohibited. We need some reporting.

  4. Avatar for caltg caltg says:

    "Therefore I want to thank you for your request that I meet with Michigan State University Title IX survivor-advocates to hear about their experience and how to prevent sexual assault on college campuses,” she [DeVos] wrote, according to the report. “However, as you are no doubt aware, the law prevents me from doing so at this time.”

    Translation: “I cannot dirty my hands nor sully myself in the presence of sexual assault victims. Euww.”

    DeVos is nothing but an elitist bitch.

  5. She couldn’t meet with assault survivors due to an outbreak of bone spurs. #courage

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