Broader probes of campus sex assaults leave victims hanging

In this April 2015 photo, sexual assault victim Emily Kollaritsch poses for a photo with her service dog, Candy, in East Lansing, Mich. If it weren't for Candy, Kollaritsch, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, says she would not have been able to return to school. A growing backlog at the U.S. Department of Education has some sexual assault victims waiting years to have their cases resolved. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) In this April 2015 photo, sexual assault victim Emily Kollaritsch poses for a photo with her service dog, Candy, in East Lansing, Mich. If it weren't for Candy, Kollaritsch, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, says she would not have been able to return to school. A growing backlog at the U.S. Department of Education has some sexual assault victims waiting years to have their cases resolved. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

By Associated Press June 8, 2015 7 min read

Olivia Ortiz was elated when the U.S. Department of Education contacted her in June of 2013 to tell her it was opening an investigation into her complaint that the University of Chicago had mishandled her sexual assault case.

A junior at the time, she had run out of options on campus after a dean decided against an investigation and instead recommended an informal mediation between her and a student she said had assaulted her in the spring of her freshman year.

Finally, Ortiz said, she felt someone was on her side.

Two years later, Ortiz is still waiting.

The reason: a burgeoning backlog at the education department that advocates say is leaving victims to languish longer without resolution, and could discourage others from coming forward at all.