The University of Pennsylvania was found to have "violated Title IX by denying women equal opportunities by permitting males to compete in women's intercollegiate athletics and to occupy women-only intimate facilities," the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced Monday.

The OCR said it will give the university 10 days to be in compliance with Title IX or risk facing a criminal referral to the Justice Department.

"Little girls who look up to Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan can find hope in today's action – the Trump Administration will not allow male athletes to invade female private spaces or compete in female categories," acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said in a news release.