TITLE IX

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

This is the opening text for the Title IX legislation. In the 1970s a lawsuit was brought forward under the Title IX legislation arguing that sexual harassment of female students was illegal sex discrimination. Later (in 2011) The Department of education’s Office of Civil Rights issued a document known as the “Dear Colleague Letter” which indicated that the “…sexual harassment of students, including sexual violence, interferes with students’ rights to receive an education free from discrimination…”

Sexual violence is a sexual act that is completed or attempted against a victim's will or when a victim is unable to consent due to age, illness, disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The act may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, coercion, intimidation or pressure.

In addition to support that may be found in family and friends, the following agencies and departments can serve as resources for you.

It is important to be aware that different individuals who you may contact for assistance following an incident may have different responsibilities regarding confidentiality, depending on their position. Under state law, some individuals can assure the victim of confidentiality, including counselors and certified victims’ advocates. In general, however, any other university employee cannot guarantee complete confidentiality, unless specifically provided by law. As is the case with all colleges and universities, the University must balance the needs of the individual victim with an obligation to protect the safety and well-being of the community at large.