What Constitutes Sexual Harassment in an Educational Setting?
Sexual harassment in schools is illegal under Title IX of the 1972 Education Act because equity in education is compromised and jeopardized by the existence of sexual harassment in educational institutions.. This law applies to schools, colleges and universities that receive any amount of federal funding. Title IX allows the U.S. Department of Education to investigate complaints, order remedies, and withhold funding from educational institutions in violation of Title IX. Enforcement of Title IX is administered by the Department's of Education's Office of Civil Rights.
In 1992, Christine Franklin, a high school student from a Georgia school district, became the first to win a Supreme Court case for sexual harassment under Title IX. She claimed to have been sexually harassed by her male science teacher for two years. The harassment culminated in rape on three occasions.
Persons experiencing harassment should first follow grievance procedures established by the school, college or university. If this action is ineffective, the victim should report sexual harassment to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights at (202) 260-7250 (phone) (202) 260-7250 (fax).
Adapted from the Feminist Majority Foundation web page.
