In a very strange case that is still unfolding, Brigham Young University faces a potential Title IX violation from the United States government as a result of the sexual assault of a student in 2015, according to the Huffington Post.
Madi Barney, a female student at BYU, reported the incident to Utah police, but not to the university. This was because the rape was perpetrated by a local individual who does not attend BYU. The school got involved, however, when Edwin Randolph, former track coach at BYU and local sheriff’s deputy, brought the police report to the school.
Barney received notification from BYU that she had “‘engaged in behavior that violate[d] the BYU Honor Code,’” and is now on academic hold. The actual reason for her punishment remains unclear, but BYU’s harsh rules of conduct might have something to do with it.
As a result of this treatment, Barney reported her case to the U.S. Department of Education. Barney wants to transfer out of BYU, but with the academic hold on her classes she is unable to withdraw, and because of her involvement in the investigation and trial of her accused rapist, her GPA has suffered.
BYU has also demanded of Barney that she “answer a series of questions about the assault,” which she is unable to do because she is currently involved in the legal investigation. BYU holds that this is the only way Barney will have access to resources for victims of sexual assault, and, presumably, the only way she can have her academic hold lifted.
Hopefully Barney has success in the investigation of her rapist and BYU does a better job of providing a place of comfort and refuge for its students. To essentially keep Barney at the school against her will makes no sense, but will hopefully not contribute to any of the existing trauma she already has from her sexual assault.