Title IX: sex-based harassment at school
Title IX protects students from sex-based harassment at schools that receive federal funding. A plain-language overview.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex — including sexual harassment and gender-based harassment — at schools and colleges that receive federal financial assistance.
What it can cover
- Sexual harassment.
- Gender-based bullying and harassment.
- Harassment based on sex stereotypes.
What schools must do
When a school knows or should know of possible sex-based harassment, it must take prompt and effective steps to investigate, stop the harassment, and address its effects. Schools that receive federal funds have a Title IX coordinator.
Where to go
- Report in writing and ask for the school's Title IX coordinator.
- You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education's Office for Civil Rights — see the OCR complaint guide.
Public vs. private schools
Title IX applies to schools that receive federal financial assistance. Some private schools that take no federal funds aren't covered, and a school controlled by a religious organization may have an exemption. In those cases, duties usually come from state law, the school's own policies, and your enrollment contract.
Not legal advice
General information only — not legal advice, and details vary by situation.
Related tools & guides
General information — not legal advice
This guide is general information to help you get organized, not legal or mental-health advice, and it doesn't guarantee any outcome. Laws and school policies vary and change. For your specific situation, consult a licensed professional or your state's education agency. In an emergency call 911; for a mental-health crisis call or text 988.