Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Passed by Congress
in 1972, Title IX is the civil rights law that requires gender
equity for males and females in every educational program or
activity that receives federal funding. Title IX applies not
just to K-12 schools, but to institutions of higher education as
well. Title IX is familiar to most people as it applies to
sports, but athletics is but one of 10 key areas addressed by
the law. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex also
encompasses sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. If a
college or university is aware of, but ignores sexual harassment
or assault in its programs or activities, it may be held liable
under the law. A school can be held responsible in court whether
the harassment is committed by faculty or staff, or by another
student. In some cases, the school may be required to pay the
victim monetary damages. As an alternative to suing in civil
court, student victims can also ask the Education Department’s
Office for Civil Ri