Title IX, a federal civil rights law in the United States, aims to prevent sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Sex-based discrimination includes verbal or physical harassment and sexual assault.
In the instances where a staff or faculty member sexually abuses a pupil, the aggressor is responsible for their own actions; who’s responsible for handling the legal case? Without the legal know-how, the answer can be difficult to discern. We’ll clarify who is liable for employee-student sexual abuse.
Title IX combats sexual violence within educational institutions by mandating a safe environment for all students, free from sex-based discrimination, including sexual abuse and harassment. This federal law requires schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funding to take immediate and effective actions to investigate and resolve incidents of sexual violence.
Educational institutions must implement clear policies, provide awareness programs, and put procedures in place for handling complaints of sexual violence. Title IX also protects the rights of victims, offering support services like counseling and the option to change academic, living, or working situations if necessary.
Employee-student sexual abuse involves any form of non-consensual sexual conduct between an educational institution’s staff member and a student. This can range from unwanted physical contact, such as touching or non-consensual penetration, to non-physical interactions, including sexual advances through digital communication or coercion.
Any sexual behavior or advances initiated by an employee toward a student are deemed inappropriate and abusive, given the inherent power imbalance in such relationships. It’s up to schools and universities to maintain clear policies that are easily accessible to the students, outlining these scenarios so there’s no confusion.
Determining who is liable for employee-student sexual abuse can be complex. Primarily, the individual perpetrator of the abuse holds direct responsibility for their actions. However, the educational institution may also be liable, especially if it failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the incident or did not respond adequately.
In situations where the institution knew about the abuse and did not act or was willfully ignorant, its liability increases. Ultimately, both the abuser and the educational institution can be accountable in cases of employee-student sexual abuse.
No matter who’s responsible, sexual abuse is life-altering for the victim. Hiring the right legal team is critical to receive justice. At the Law Firm of Tamara N Holder, our Title IX attorneys are experienced and dedicated to cases like yours; we will treat your situation with the respect and discrepancy it deserves.
