Feds Investigating Penn State’s Handling of Sex Assault Reports

Inquiry independent of Sandusky allegations.

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports: “The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating whether Pennsylvania State University’s handling of allegations of sexual violence committed by students or staff members is in compliance with federal law, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.”

The office’s review, under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that bars gender discrimination at institutions that receive federal funds, will examine university policies and whether Penn State has responded appropriately to complaints. The review was triggered by a sharp increase in reported forcible sex offenses in the university’s own reports of crime data, Catherine Lhamon, the department’s assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement quoted by the newspaper.

The review is independent of any allegations arising from the Jerry Sandusky trial, the Chronicle reported.