File a Title IX COMPLAINT

Step 1: Filing.

Filing a Title IX report should be easy and specific for your school or college/university. The process should be written out on the website, and many schools have online reporting forms or numbers you can call to report.

• Check your school website for information (search for Title IX or sexual assault).
• You can talk to an advocate or lawyer before you file a report.
• Note: Some reports may bring on a cross-report to law enforcement, such as in cases of ongoing crime or abuse of a minor.
• Note: Some faculty and administrators on campus are “Responsible Persons,” who are required to file a Title IX report if they have reasonable suspicion or know about abuse.

Step 2: Intake and investigation.

Next, the school will start a review of the case and an investigation to see if they can take action against the abuser.

It is important to remember:

• You should still be able to get accommodations and changes to your school schedule during the investigation.
• The abuser will likely be contacted if they are known.
• You can ask for confidentiality protections, but in some cases schools will not be able to keep your information confidential because the abuser has a right to know who has filed the complaint.
• You can have an advocate or support person present during the investigation and any interviews.

Step 3: Hearing and Findings.

Following the investigation, a fact-finding hearing will typically be held in most cases. This is to allow the respondent (person accused of the harm) to respond to the evidence in the case.

After the hearing, the Title IX office will make a determination of the case (finding) and that information will be provided to the person who filed the complaint and the abuser, unless protections apply. It is important to consider:

• As the person filing the complaint (the complainant) you should be provided information about the findings.
• The respondent/abuser will also receive the findings and may be required to do certain things or may be sanctioned or expelled from the school.
• Your school may require a “live” hearing wherein the complainant and respondent are in the same hearing.
• You can have a support person or attorney with you during a hearing.
• Some schools can provide protections or trauma-informed supports during the hearing, such as holding the hearing over Zoom.
• The abuser has a right to appeal the decision.

Step 4: Appeals.

The determination of the case is not the final step because the person accused/respondent has a right to appeal.

Both the complainant (person who filed the report or experienced harm) and the respondent (person accused of causing the harm) have a right to appeal the decision.
When either side asks for an appeal of the Title IX decision, a different council or group reviews the case. This is not supposed to be a new hearing, but a review of the case and evidence to make sure there is not a mistake in procedure, or bias, or if there is new evidence that would require a new investigation.

The final appeals decision is given to both the complainant and the responder in writing and serves as the final decision on the matter in the school.
Note: When there is also a criminal legal case, there can be some coordination with Title IX and law enforcement.

Because of the changing status of Title IX law and different state laws, it is important to contact an advocate and/or attorney to understand the your school’s process.