Title IX Sexual Assault Attorney
Helping Victims of Campus Assault in Los Angeles & Nationwide
Sexual assault on college campuses has grown in visibility in recent years, but it’s been a problem across the country for decades. Lawmakers, prosecutors, and courts are finally recognizing the prevalence of sexual assault on university grounds and other school campuses. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), over five percent of male undergrads and an astounding 23 percent of female students report that they have experienced rape or sexual assault. Many, if not most, incidents of sexual assault on school grounds go unreported. Perpetrators of sexual assault and the administrators who allowed the hazards to go unchecked must be held accountable for their actions. We aim to do just that.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual assault on a university campus or other school grounds, the Southern California Title IX sexual assault legal team at the Morris Law Firm is ready to fight for your rights. We do not stand by while school officials get away with turning a blind eye to the dangers their environment fostered. We’ll make sure you get the justice, the compensation, and the closure you deserve.
What is Title IX?
Title IX refers to a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the Act:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Title IX extends civil rights protections to public secondary schools and universities, making educational institutions responsible for reasonably protecting students and others from sexual assault and other forms of gender harassment or discrimination on their grounds. Title IX’s protections now extend to discrimination, harassment, and other conduct targeting a victim’s gender identity and sexual orientation.
Prohibited conduct can be anything from inappropriate touching to molestation and rape. Title IX applies to sexual violence on campus, at fraternity houses, at parties, and anywhere else where students are present.
What Are My Rights Under Title IX?
Title IX has been interpreted to give a right of action to individuals who have been the victim of sexual assault on a school campus. Sexual assault, rape, and other forms of sexual harassment or violence are prohibited forms of gender and sex discrimination. Schools must provide an avenue for students to report incidents of sexual assault, they must respond appropriately to such allegations, and they must engage in proactive methods to mitigate the risk of campus sexual assault.
If a student reports sexual violence to the school, the school must act to stop any future harassment or violence–including by conducting a proper, impartial investigation and disciplining the offender, where appropriate. The victim must be notified of their right to report the incident to law enforcement and to move beyond an informal complaint process to filing an official, legal complaint or police report.
If the school fails to respond appropriately to reports of sexual assault, or if the school’s actions up to that point fostered or permitted a culture of sexual harassment and assault, the school might be liable to the student for damages. An experienced Title IX campus assault lawyer can help you understand your rights, including whether the school may be held liable for the harm you have suffered.
Call a California Title IX Sexual Assault Lawyer at the Morris Law Firm Today
Sexual assault should never be allowed to go unpunished. If your school failed to protect you or your child against sexual assault, or they failed to respond appropriately after learning of the assault, you can and should hold the institution responsible. Contact our Los Angeles Title IX sexual assault attorney today to discuss your Title IX claim. Morris Law Firm will give you a personalized evaluation and help you figure out your legal rights and next steps.
Call us today at 747-283-1144 for a fast response or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.
