In response to Betsy DeVos' intention to reverse Obama-era Title IX protections meant to protect sexual assault survivors on college and university campuses, 20 state attorneys general sent a letter to the education secretary on Wednesday imploring her not to follow through with her plans.

In the letter, the Democratic law enforcement officials expressed their uneasiness with the prospect of Secretary DeVos undoing the Obama protection and indicated that they would like to work together with her and the entire education department to combat the issue, saying:

“Despite our concerns, we are committed to working collaboratively with your Department to address the problem of sexual assault on America’s college campuses. But any effort in this area must be deliberate and allow for meaningful input from all stakeholders, and it must focus on the ultimate goal of ensuring that all students are protected from discrimination, including sexual harassment, assault, stalking, and domestic violence, under Title IX. To that end we urge you to directly engage with a broad, representative, and a bipartisan group of Attorneys General from around the country so we can take action together to end the scourge of sexual violence on our college and university campuses. Furthermore, we urge you to continue to implement and uphold these important civil rights protection so that all students are able to learn in a safe environment free from violence and discrimination.”

Earlier this month DeVos met with sexual assault survivors, as well as education officials, students who had been accused of sexual assault, and men's rights advocates who believe that Title IX protections unfairly target those who have been accused, to discuss their experiences. Not long after these meetings, DeVos announced that she planned to reassess the policy put in place by former President Barack Obama because she was concerned that the investigation guidelines put in place by the previous administration could unfairly target the accused.

“A system without due process ultimately serves no one in the end,” she told The New York Times.

“It was clear that their stories have not often been told, and that there are lives that have been ruined and lives that are lost in the process," DeVos said, referencing students who have been accused of sexual assault, before acknowledging survivors. "We can’t go back to the days when allegations were swept under the rug and I acknowledge there was a time when women were essentially dismissed," she said. "That is not acceptable."