Now that the pandemic is done and schools and colleges are all set to open, it’s vital for you to understand student rights under Title IX before you return to school. If you’re a student who usually keeps up with the news, you must have heard a lot about Title IX but you may have had several questions about what it is and how it works.
Well, we’re here to solve all your queries. Read on for some useful details on the basics of Title IX.
Title IX – What is it?
Title IX is a civil rights law introduced by the government that says no school, college, or university can ever discriminate against a student based on their gender and sex. Title IX was initially brought forth to guarantee equal rights for women in the field of sports. Later on, Title IX started being applied to all types of sexual assault, harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
Title IX is of utmost importance since the law has made it mandatory for colleges and universities to respond promptly to any report of sexual behavior or harassment. The university is liable to act instantly and take steps to prevent such cases. Sexual violence within the campus is considered hostile and it needs to stop.
Title IX is not something that is only applicable to female students
Title IX is applicable to any person and it safeguards anyone from sexual discrimination, irrespective of their actual or perceived sex, gender expression, or gender identity. Through Title IX, male, female, and gender non-confirming faculty members, students, community members, and even staff members will be guarded against any sex-based harassment, discrimination, or violence. A Title IX student defense lawyer comes of help in such cases of violation of the law.
Title IX – What makes it so important?
Title IX is not only applicable to undergraduates but also to graduate students, faculty, and visitors. This is basically an anti-discrimination law that can be applied to private and public elementary schools, school districts, and secondary schools.
The Associated Press investigated that there have been 18,000 reports of sexual harassment over a period of 3 years at schools all over the US. In many cases, the victims were girls below the age of 5.
The law is not just pertinent to female students. Title IX also forbids any sort of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This rule is henceforth much important for those who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, and even transgender community (LGBT). It is has been found out several times that LGBT students are at a higher risk of sexual discrimination. Hence it is critical to support LGBT students.
Hence, your college or university should be active enough in making sure that the entire campus is free from sexual discrimination. If the colleges start discouraging other survivors from doing their daily tasks, this could lead to a successful environment.
