If you are a staff or faculty member at a school or college and are involved in a Title IX case as either the victim or person accused, then you have legal rights through Title IX. The process can be incredibly stressful, confusing, and high-stakes for both sides.
The Title IX Law Team is a resource for faculty, staff, and professors at schools and colleges nationwide. Title IX cases can result in retaliation and additional harassment for those who report claims, or they can lead to demotion, suspension, and termination for those accused. In a Title IX case, the person who reports sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual assault is called the “complainant,” and the person accused is called the “respondent.” Both respondents and complainants have rights in the Title IX process, which schools and colleges routinely overlook either because of inexperience or deliberate indifference. A Title IX attorney can help you understand and claim your legal rights from the outset and avoid further damage to your career and reputation. In employee Title IX cases, there is often added complexity by union and tenure contracts, which can be hard if not impossible to navigate without expert assistance.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law to prevent sex discrimination at educational institutions that accept federal funding, which includes nearly all public and private schools and colleges. This means that Title IX covers almost all elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the U.S. Title IX requires schools and colleges to respond with certain action steps and procedures after a complaint of sex-based misconduct has been reported.
In addition to students, Title IX’s procedural requirements cover:
Once a complaint is filed, the school must investigate all allegations, according to the U.S. Department of Education. If you need help navigating and enforcing your rights after a Title IX infraction, consider hiring an experienced Title IX attorney to help. For complainants, the challenges can include not feeling supported during the process, being retaliated against, or having their allegations swept under the rug. For respondents, the challenges often include being suspended pending an investigation, permanent reputational damage no matter the outcome of the investigation, termination, or difficulty finding another job in the education field. Additionally, for claims of sexual assault or stalking, there is the possibility of a parallel criminal case, which comes with additional potential repercussions.
Under the protections of federal law and Title IX, claims from faculty, staff, and professors based on sex discrimination can include:
About 22% of American employees have either witnessed or experienced discrimination at work, but investigating these cases is complex, political, and fraught with tension. Purportedly false or exaggerated claims can also taint an investigation. If you need help as a school or college employee subjected to discrimination, sexual assault, or sexual harassment, contact a lawyer who fully understands Title IX and provides comprehensive representation.
There are many complexities and nuances involved within the area of Title IX law that are worth discussing with a national Title IX attorney. Reach out to get connected with an experienced Title IX attorney who can help.
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