Sexual Harassment in Education

Have you experienced sexual harassment and bullying in school?  Under Title IX you have a right not to be sexually harassed in school.  Your school must protect you by preventing harassment and stopping any harassment that does occur. Our FAQs answers questions students may have about how Title IX can make them safer in school.  It also includes examples of sexual harassment and gender-based harassment, both of which are prohibited by Title IX. Much of what you may call “bullying” is actually harassment that is prohibited by Title IX.  Harassment can take many forms—it can include name-calling, physical actions, or the use of cell phones or the internet (sometimes known as “cyberbullying”).  Sexual harassment can include sexual touching, sexual comments or jokes, gestures, and writing.  Harassment and bullying because a student does not conform to gender stereotypes—for example, harassment  of a female student because she does not act the way her peers think that girls should act—is also prohibited by Title IX.