What is Title IX? President Richard M. Nixon signed Title IX of the civil rights act into the law on June 23, 1972.
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Title IX prohibits discrimination in any activity receiving federal financial assistance. According to the United States Department of Education, there are 17,600 local school districts, over 5,000 postsecondary institutions, and charter schools, for-profit schools, libraries, and museums that fall under Title IX law.
Title IX law outlines specific, fair guidelines on what to expect during the entire process. Whether you are the complainant or the respondent, Title IX ensures that you will be given equal protection and given a fair, unbiased trial.
If you are wondering if you’re protected under Title IX because of how you identify, the answer is yes. In fact, the U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona makes a statement regarding the matter.
“Today, the Department makes clear that all students—including LGBTQ+ students—deserve the opportunity to learn and thrive in schools that are free from discrimination.”
How can Title IX affect higher education?
If you have been accused of violating Title IX in a school setting, your career goals and finishing your education could be at severe risk. Being under investigation for a Title IX allegation depending on the severity, can be life altering.
There is a lot at stake with Title IX cases for both parties as well as the institution in which the allegation took place. With that being said, there is a lot of pressure to resolve the issue. The institution is at risk for losing their federal funding if they do not comply with title IX law. The institution also won’t want to come across as an unsafe place or a place in which people can get away with things and serious allegations can just be swept under the rug.
If you have been accused or have been found guilty of a Title IX complaint it will not just “go away” after you leave that institution. It will permanently be on your school record if the case does not end in your favor. This means that it would follow you to any other schools and you might even be denied from enrollment. Some employers, graduate and law schools require an applicant sign a release to obtain title IX files, so it could even affect you well after you graduate.
You are protected by Title IX- The Final Rule
If you have received a title IX complaint against you, chances are your school is not as quick to help you as the person filing the complaint. As of August 2020 there are regulations to mitigate that issue within schools. The regulation is referred to as The Final Rule. This ensures that both parties will be given a fair trial and due process will be followed. It also creates an even playing field and makes certain that both parties are informed throughout the entire process. However, you still need to seek experienced legal assistance.
Dethlefs Pykosh & Murphy – Attorneys At Law can help secure your future
If you have been accused of violating Title IX Law or commmitting sexual harrassment against a student or professor, call us today for a free consultation. Dethlefs Pykosh and Murphy Attorneys At Law have been in business for over 33 years and have experience defending respondents in these matters.
