Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan expressing concern with the #MeToo movement Monday, claiming that the accused aren’t treated fairly.
“I’m very worried. I’m not old, but I’m seasoned, and [the] pendulum’s swinging too far,” Dingell told Politico.
Dingell co-chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s program to help encourage women to run for office.
“We have to have due process. We got to all agree on a process, and that it’s got to be quick and appropriate,” Dingell said.
Despite her newly-voiced concerns, Dingell was at the forefront in the attacks against Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ reforms that rescinded certain Title IX guidelines regarding sexual assault. Dingell called Devos’ actions an “outrageous affront to survivors” in a September 2017 press release.
“The decision to rescind Title IX protections, and introduce new, less protective interim guidance before the rulemaking process has even taken place is unacceptable and turns back the clock to a time when survivors of rape and assault suffered in silence, terrified that if they came forward they would be ostracized on campus or in their classrooms, or that their voices would be ignored completely,” Dingell said.
DeVos’ actions were prompted by a number of incidents in which men at American universities and colleges faced suspensions and expulsions after being accused of sexual misconduct, despite never having a fair trial. The lack of due process faced by students was prompted by an Obama-era directive that instructed institutions of higher education on how to handle sexual assault accusations, often without strong evidence.
“This decision does exactly that – it discourages survivors from speaking out and seeking justice and sends a message that instead of support, they will be met with doubt and skepticism. This is shameful and unacceptable,” Dingell’s statement concluded.
The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. For as little as $3, you can help us. Make a one-time donation to support the quality, independent journalism of TheDCNF. We’re not dependent on commercial or political support and we do not accept any government funding.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.