Imagine you are at school, walking to 2nd period, when someone from your math class walks past you and pats your backside. You quickly look back at them and they smile and blow you a kiss. You may feel violated and upset. Later, you are scrolling through social media when you notice the same person sent you a DM. Instinctually, you open it and quickly realize they sent you a nude pic. You might feel grossed out and even angrier. Now you don’t want to go to school, especially to math class because you feel awkward and scared having to sit next to this person. You shouldn’t have to sit next to them in math class, or share the same spaces and thanks to Title IX, you do not have to.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX, a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school. Part of this law protects students and school staff in K-12 schools, colleges and universities against sexual harassment, sexual assaults and unwelcomed conduct. The goal is to build and maintain a safe place in which students can learn and school staff can work free of hostility, fear and stress. Schools are tasked to provide supportive measures for affected students, such as school-based orders of protection, increase supervision and monitoring of school “hot spots”, and/or alter class schedules and locations when warranted. In effort to support all parties, counseling is to be made available to the victim/survivor, the person perpetrating the misconduct, and bystanders. The bottom line is, students and staff should feel safe and supported at school. Lack of supportive measures can lead to absenteeism, anxiety, and academic decline.
Schools can go beyond Title IX directives, as long as they do not conflict with the existing law, by providing prevention and awareness programs that promote consent, emphasize boundaries, and endorse social norms that protect against violence. Additionally, utilize codes of conduct (and alike) to outline Title IX and district protections, rules and designations.
The law states that the sexual misconduct must affect a student’s educational opportunities, and be either severe or pervasive. Although Title IX mandates supportive measures for victims/survivors, it is important to address harassment before it becomes severe or persistent and respond to all allegations of sexual misconduct. School staff and anyone who observes or has knowledge of victimization can, and should, also report or file a complaint. In the example above, anyone in the school hallway who observed the misconduct could file a report.
Advocate for safety by taking time to learn about protections at your school and inquire about prevention and awareness programs available.
If victimized, contact your school administrator or counselor to identify the school or district’s Title IX coordinator to make a report. Remember, you are not alone, it is not your fault, and help is available.
About the Author
Michelle Sacks is Director of Training at The Houston Area Women’s Center
