Title IX and Sexual Violence: Best Practices for Ensuring Safe K-12 Schools

Title IX and Sexual Violence: Best Practices for Ensuring Safe K-12 Schools

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools receiving federal funds must comply with Title IX. Although this law is generally known to ensure nondiscrimination in athletics, the law's nondiscrimination requirements also extend to sexual harassment and sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. In recent years, the Department of Education has provided greater attention to this area, including issuing a detailed document in April 2014 entitled Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence and issuing in April 2015 a Dear Colleague Letter addressing the roles and responsibilities of Title IX coordinators within schools. Because of this increased attention, schools must ensure their compliance with these laws and requirements, including the designation of a coordinator and the dissemination of a policy. This presentation will explain the requirements for schools to prevent sexual violence and to resolve complaints of sexual violence, will address elements of an investigation into allegations of sexual violence, and will address the school's obligations to protect against retaliation.

Just a sampling of what this webinar will cover:

• The school's obligations to recognize and respond to incidents of sexual violence.
• Why adopting and distributing a policy is so important.
• Elements of an investigation into allegations of sexual violence.
• The laws relating to confidentiality during an investigation.
• The various interim measures that a school may take during an investigation.
• AND MUCH MORE!