PUYALLUP—The Puyallup School District is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) after a female wrestler was allegedly assaulted by a competitor during a competition designated as a female’s only wrestling event.
Back in December 6, 2025, a 16-year-old female wrestler at a District school reported being sexually assaulted during a match against a male-to-female student competing in the girl’s division. According to the OCR, the biological female wrestler was not made aware that her opponent had been biologically assigned male at birth.
The investigation will consider whether this incident violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) by allowing males to compete in female sports and enter into female locker rooms, in addition to failing to adequately respond to allegations of sexual assault.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has since confirmed that it has opened a criminal investigation. According to reports alleged violations like these are ongoing and well known to school leaders, with at least a dozen female athletes having complained to administrators about the presence of two “males” in the girls’ locker room.
“The allegations in this case are sickening—that a female athlete was not only unknowingly forced to compete against a male in a girls-only division placing her at increased risk for sexual assault, but that her report of sexual assault during the match was ignored by Puyallup School District for months. While the District may prioritize ideological agendas over the safety and dignity of its students, the Trump Administration will not tolerate such conduct,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. “We will continue to vigorously enforce Title IX to ensure that women and girls have safe, equal access to educational programs and opportunities, and that allegations of sexual assault are addressed promptly and fully.”
On January 22, 2026, a Let’s Go Washington initiative, IL26-638, prohibiting students identified as biologically male from participating in female athletic activities in K-12 schools, garnered enough signatures to enter the legislative session for a vote. Since it is unlikely it passes by the end of the session on March 12, it will most likely head to a General Ballot election in November.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
