Most K-12 schools, parents, and students don’t understand about sexual harassment and students’ rights, and how Title IX relates to sexual harassment/ assault in schools. For example, many wonder why schools should investigate student sexual assaults at all and not simply leave the matter to the police.
Title IX is a civil rights law. It prohibits all educational institutions that receive federal money from discriminating against students based on sex. Sexual harassment and assault can be a form of discrimination because they can limit or prevent a student from participating in and benefiting from a school’s educational program.
In this youth panel webinar “What Does Title IX Mean for Students Today?” teens recounted their experiences with Title IX. They revealed how urgently students, parents, and all school staff need Title IX education, beginning in elementary school.
Resources
These resources explain students’ rights and schools’ responsibilities under state and federal laws to protect students from sexual harassment and assault. Not all resources offer the same advice and information.
- How Do I Talk About the Violence I Experienced: A Guide for K-12 Students and their Caretakers (Victim Rights Law Center)
- Know Your Rights at School: Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination (Equal Rights Advocates)
- Title IX at 50: A report by the National Coalition for Women and Girls in Education (NCWGE)
- How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (U.S. Dept. of Education Office for Civil Rights)
- 100 School Districts Student Toolkit: How to Change Your School District’s Sexual Harassment Policies (National Women’s Law Center)
- State Anti-Bullying Laws and Policies (StopBullying.gov)