Does Title IX apply to my college?

Title IX applies to colleges that receive federal financial assistance, which is most of them. It covers sex- and gender-based harassment; your campus has a Title IX coordinator who can explain the process. Other conduct may fall under the student code of conduct or campus safety.

Harassment & bullying help for college students

On a college campus, the pathways differ from K–12 — Title IX coordinators, the dean of students, campus safety, and residence life. Here’s where to turn for harassment, hazing, and online abuse in higher ed. This is general information; each campus’s process is different.

What to do

1
Document everything
The same principles apply — dated, factual entries with evidence (screenshots that show who and when).
2
Find the Title IX coordinator
For sex- or gender-based harassment at a school that receives federal funds, the Title IX office is a key route.
3
Use campus offices
Dean of students, campus safety/police, residence life (your RA), and counseling are there for this.
4
Handle online or image abuse
Report to the platform; for an intimate image of someone under 18 use NCMEC’s Take It Down; involve campus police if it’s a crime.
5
Get crisis support
988 anytime, plus campus counseling services.

In-depth guides

Title IX overview

A plain-language overview of Title IX — which protects students from sex-based and sexual harassment at schools that receive federal funding.

Cyberbullying checklist

Capture screenshots that actually hold up: keep the URL, username, and date/time visible, capture before deleting, and report to the platform.

Sextortion & image abuse

If someone is pressuring a child for images or threatening to share them, act fast — and know the child is the victim, not the wrongdoer. Where to report and remove.

Free tools for this

Frequently asked questions

Does Title IX apply to my college?: Title IX applies to colleges that receive federal financial assistance, which is most of them. It covers sex- and gender-based harassment; your campus has a Title IX coordinator who can explain the process. Other conduct may fall under the student code of conduct or campus safety.

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Authoritative sources

General information — not legal advice

This page is general information to help you get organized, not legal or mental-health advice, and it doesn't guarantee any outcome. Laws and policies vary and change. For your specific situation, consult a licensed professional or the relevant agency. In an emergency call 911; for a mental-health crisis call or text 988.

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