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Last updated on Friday, May 2, 2014
(UNDATED) - Two Indiana universities are on a list of 55 schools who are under federal investigation for their handling of sexual abuse on campus.
Indiana University and Vincennes University are on the list released by the U.S. Department of Education. They are being investigated either because the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has received a complaint or because the department is conducting a compliance review.
IU says the investigation involving its Bloomington campus is for the latter reason.
"This type of compliance review is distinct and separate from investigations that arise from complaints to OCR, and the office has confirmed that it has received no complaints against IU Bloomington that would have triggered an investigation," said a statement issued by the university.
The federal Title IX law that mandates equal opportunities for female athletes at colleges and universities also regulates the way colleges investigate sexual abuse complaints. The release of the list from the department came two days after the White House promised more government transparency when it comes to the handling of sex abuse complaints.
Vincennes has not said whether it is being investigated due to a complaint filed to OCR, but in a statement, Vincennes quoted a Department of Education release which said "a college or university's appearance on this list and being the subject of a Title IX investigation in no way indicates at this stage that the college or university is violating or has violated the law."
The Education Department says it will not release any details about the schools being investigated. After they conclude, the department says it will announce whether or not a Title IX violation occurred at the schools.
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