What are supportive measures?
Supportive measures are free services and adjustments your school is required to give you if you experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other sexual harm.
They are meant to help you feel safe and keep learning at school during and after you report sexual harm.
Supportive measures are not punishment. They are accommodations the school provides to protect the reporting student so that they can continue participating in classes, activities, and school life. Supportive measures are also available to the accused student to ensure a fair process that does not punish them before an investigation is complete.
When must supportive measures be offered?
Your school must promptly offer supportive measures once it learns about possible sexual harassment or sexual violence (some harassing behaviors may also fall under school bullying policies). The goal is to help you stay safe and continue your education.
Even if the school determines that the reported conduct does not meet the federal definition of sexual harassment (conduct that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive enough to deny equal access to education), the school must still consider and offer supportive measures to help you maintain access to your education. Schools may also provide supportive measures when the sexual harm occurred off campus or outside school hours, if there is a connection to the school (for example, if the person who caused the harm is a student or otherwise part of the school community).
The district or school’s Title IX Coordinator should reach out to talk with you about what support you need and what options are available.
Supportive measures should be available:
- As soon as the school learns about possible harassment or assault
- Before, during, or after a Title IX complaint or investigation
- Even if you decide not to file a formal complaint
- Even if you do not want the school to investigate
This includes situations where:
- You report harassment or assault to a teacher or other school employee
- A parent, friend, or another student tells the school
- The school learns about the situation in another way
What are some examples of supportive measures?
Supportive measures should be based on what you need and what the school can reasonably provide. Your school can offer these supports for as long as you need them to feel safe and keep learning.
Supporting safety (sometimes called a safety plan):
- Changing class schedules so you can avoid the person who caused harm (the accused student’s schedule can be changed so that the reporting student’s schedule remains the same)
- No-contact orders between you and the other student
- Changes to seating, lunch periods, or extracurricular activities
- Staff escorts between classes or other safety planning
- Increased supervision in certain areas of the school
Supporting health and well-being:
- Allow you to select a support person of your choosing
- Permit you take a break or leave the classroom to visit your guidance counselor or school nurse, therapist, or psychologist whenever you are feeling anxious or afraid
- Arrange for counseling, mental health services, or medical care
- Permit flexible attendance or temporary leave if needed
Supporting academic performance:
- Grant extensions on your assignments or deadlines
- Arrange for you to take classes online
- Arrange for tutoring or extra academic help
- Adjust grades or allow for make-up work
- Allow you to stay in school activities, leadership roles, or honors programs if GPA, credit, or attendance rules would otherwise disqualify you from participation
How does the school keep track of the supportive measures that it provides?
- Your school must keep a written record of the supportive measures.
- You can ask for a written copy of your supportive measures.
- Your school should share this information only with school staff who need to know so they can help carry out the supports.
- The student who caused harm should only be told about supportive measures that directly involve them (for example, a no-contact order).
For more information:
Frequently Asked Questions on Title IX and Supportive Measures for K-12 Students