Legal Definitions - Title IX

Title IX is a law that was passed in 1972 to prevent discriminationbased on sex in education programs and activities. This means that schools and universities that receive federal funding cannot treat someone unfairly because of their gender.

Discrimination based on sex can include things like sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence. It can also include not giving equal opportunities in sports or treating someone differently because they are pregnant.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Education added new rules that require schools to take specific steps when they receive a report of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can include things like unwanted sexual advances, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

For example, if a female student is not allowed to play on the school's basketball team because the coach thinks girls are not as good at sports as boys, that would be a violation of Title IX. Another example would be if a male student is sexually assaulted by another student and the school does not take any action to stop it or help the victim.

These examples show how Title IX protects students from discrimination based on their gender and ensures that schools take action to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and violence.