Congressional Hearing Highlights DOI/BIA Failure to Support Sexual Assault Survivors

Haskell Indian Nations University’s response to sexual assault survivors is under scrutiny. The recent congressional hearing revealed systemic issues, spotlighting the need for accountability and reform.

The Key Takeaway: Haskell’s alleged failure to support sexual assault survivors underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy changes to protect students.

Haskell Indian Nations University, located in Lawrence, Kansas, is a federally funded school operated by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).

During the July 24th congressional hearing, Rep. Harriet Hageman read testimonies detailing the traumatic experiences of Haskell students. One student’s harrowing account of being drugged, raped, and then neglected by the administration emphasizes the critical shortcomings in Haskell’s response to sexual violence. This student’s experience, coupled with multiple similar reports, paints a grim picture of the institution’s failure to support its students adequately.

The July 24th congressional hearing included members of the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, and Kansas Rep. Tracey Mann. Rep. Harriet Hageman read a testimony from a Haskell student and sexual assault survivor, detailing her struggles with family, education, and personal issues, with no support from the university. She recounted being drugged, raped, and held against her will for 15 hours, yet receiving no assistance from Haskell administration. Instead, she was expelled twice due to a low GPA and denied her Pell grant. Hageman emphasized that this neglect is unacceptable.

The investigation, backed by an 80-page report, and first reported in May 2024, not only highlights issues of sexual assault but also uncovers allegations of bullying, theft, nepotism, and other misconduct. Witnesses, including former Haskell cross country coach Clay Mayes, testified about their futile efforts to report these incidents to higher authorities, often facing retaliation instead of support.

Mayes’ testimony and the accounts of others indicate a culture of fear and silence at Haskell. He shared his frustration with the administration’s reluctance to address misconduct, further complicating the efforts to create a safe environment for students. Despite reporting sexual assaults to law enforcement, Mayes noted the university’s lack of action in removing predators from campus.

A long-awaited investigative report from the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education exposes a culture of negligence at Haskell Indian Nations University, where student reports of sexual assault and abuse were ignored for years. The report was finally released after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and legal battle, revealing that attempts were made to sweep these issues under the rug.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury stressed Haskell’s historical context as a federal school and the government’s treaty and trust responsibilities. She advocated for ensuring a safe and supportive environment for current and future students and reaffirmed her commitment to uphold these responsibilities.

The Director of Native Americans for Sovereignty and Preservation expressed his outrage at the findings. “It is infuriating and utterly unacceptable that an institution entrusted with the education and safety of our Native youth has failed so miserably. We demand immediate and thorough changes to protect our students and restore trust in Haskell.”

The hearing at Haskell Indian Nations University serves as a critical reminder of the importance of addressing sexual violence on campus and supporting survivors. Like all educational environments, this institution must prioritize student safety and well-being, fostering a culture of respect and accountability.

The students and faculty at Haskell Indian Nations University deserve a safe learning and working environment. Unfortunately, Secretary Haaland’s Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Education, and Bureau of Indian Affairs have failed to provide that environment and protect Haskell’s community of Native American students and employees.