TOLEDO, Ohio – A student at the University of Toledo has filed a federal complaint against the college, claiming the school mishandled her sexual assault case.
A UT student identified as “Sarah” has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education alleging that the university violated federal law by allowing her attacker to stay in class and imposing minimal punishment, Cleveland.com reports.
During his hearing, Sarah’s assailant admitted that he knew the victim did not consent; however, he was only punished with disciplinary probation, a $25 administrative fine, and 10 hours of sexual assault education.
Sarah appealed the sanctions and provided evidence of her assailant’s violent criminal history, prompting the university to suspend the assailant for one year. The suspension was later revoked because her assailant was allowed to appeal the decision, and Sarah was not.
The university’s Title IX Inclusion Officer stated in the final report that Sarah’s rape was not severe enough for her assailant to be suspended, as it was simply “non-consensual sex.”
The End Rape on Campus organization helped Sarah file the complaint against UT. The organization has also helped students at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of Michigan and Valparaiso University Law School file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education.
