Diminishing Protections for Students Amid Title IX Cuts

Fri Jan 16 2026 22:36:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. Education Department, under the Trump administration, has significantly reduced its enforcement capabilities regarding sexual violence in schools, opening fewer investigations and leaving a backlog of cases.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has been severely impacted by layoffs, resulting in the number of inquiries into sexual violence at schools dropping dramatically. Criticism mounts as critics argue that the changes undermine the protections for victims of sexual assault and harassment while new investigations into discrimination against transgender students become more frequent.

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Education Department has drastically scaled back its enforcement of Title IX, which has led to a sharp decline in investigations into sexual violence in schools. The agency's Office for Civil Rights, which historically played a key role in addressing sexual assault complaints, has seen significant layoffs, reducing its capacity to handle cases of discrimination based on sex, race, or disability.

As a result, fewer than 10 sexual violence investigations have been opened nationwide in the past year, whereas dozens were typically opened before the cuts. Additionally, the office currently has a backlog of over 25,000 pending cases, leading to criticism from advocates who argue that victims now have few options for recourse.

Ironically, while the focus on sexual violence investigations has tumbled, the administration has ramped up enforcement of Title IX against institutions accommodating transgender students. Nearly 50 investigations have been opened regarding these cases over the past year, highlighting a shift in focus that has angered many civil rights advocates.

Critics say that the department's capacity to hold schools accountable for past misconduct has diminished, creating a void where victims feel abandoned. Many have resorted to lawsuits against their schools in hopes of obtaining justice.

Lawyers handling Title IX cases report an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness among clients. The backlog and the lack of resources mean that many complaints are sitting idle and unable to progress. Without timely intervention, victims of sexual violence often feel that systemic failings are eroding hard-fought advances in civil rights, particularly regarding accountability in educational settings.

Amidst this alarming scenario, the Education Department continues to assert that it is safeguarding the dignity and safety of students while also working through the significant caseloads left from the previous Democratic administration.

As the current civil rights office strives to balance its responsibilities, advocates warn this diminishing focus on sexual violence cases may reverse decades of progress in protecting students’ rights.