Baylor conducting internal review of how it handled sexual assault cases

Baylor has hired an outside consultant to review its handling of past sexual assault cases, amid accusations from ESPN’s Outside the Lines that the school ignored victims in case involving football players.

Baylor has hired an outside consultant to review its handling of past sexual assault cases, amid accusations from ESPN’s Outside the Lines that the school ignored victims in cases involving football players. 

The investigation from ESPN reporter Paula Lavigne found that the school did not provide adequate support for victims in the wake of cases involving two former football players, Tevin Elliot and Sam Ukwuachu. 

One student, identified only as Tanya, was denied assistance by campus police because her case against Elliot occurred off campus. She was among five cases of rape or sexual assault against Elliot, who received a 20-year sentence in Jan. 2014. 

Ukwuachu was accused of sexually assaulting a Baylor soccer player, but an internal investigation by the school cleared him of any wrongdoing. The soccer player would eventually transfer from the school.

The report found that these weren’t isolated cases and that the school was slow to act upon necessary Title IX changes:

An investigation by Outside the Lines found several examples in Tanya's case, and others at Baylor, in which school officials either failed to investigate, or adequately investigate, allegations of sexual violence. In many cases, officials did not provide support to those who reported assaults. Moreover, it took Baylor more than three years to comply with a federal directive: In April 2011, the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to all colleges and universities outlining their responsibilities under Title IX, including the need for each school to have a Title IX coordinator. Baylor didn't hire a full-time coordinator until fall 2014.

Baylor is not one of the 161 schools currently under federal investigation for Title IX violations.

Members of the school’s administration and football team declined to comment about the report.