Find your school’s policies
Look for nondiscrimination, sex-based harassment, anti-bullying, reporting, and grievance procedures in student handbooks and district policies.
Know your rights
What to do if you are sexually harassed at school
Students have the right to learn, participate, and take part in school activities without sex-based harassment. This guide explains what that right can look like in real life, what you can ask your school to do, and where to turn if your school does not respond.
Start here
Know what to look for before you need it.
If sex-based harassment happens, knowing your school’s rules, who handles Title IX, and how to document what happened can make it easier to understand your options.
Know your Title IX contact
Your district must have a Title IX Coordinator or compliance contact. Find their name, email, and phone number before you need them.
Keep a record
Write down dates, times, names, locations, what happened, who you told, and how the school responded. Save relevant messages and screenshots.
Your rights still matter
Federal enforcement has changed. Your options do not end there.
Students are still protected from sex-based harassment under Title IX. At the same time, the federal government’s ability to protect those rights has been significantly weakened. That makes it especially important to know your school’s obligations and the state and local protections available to you.
How it may play out in real life
The guide walks through situations students actually face.
The below examples can help you recognize possible sex-based harassment and understand what you can do to protect yourself and ensure accountability.
Digital harassment
Sexually explicit deepfakes or image-sharing
What schools should consider when sexualized digital abuse affects a student’s safety or ability to learn.
Reporting
When you are afraid to report
How to learn about reporting options, confidentiality, retaliation protections, and what may happen after a report.
LGBTQI+ students
Harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity
Steps students and families can take when anti-LGBTQI+ harassment or violence is ignored.
Off campus
Harassment that starts away from school
Why an off-campus assault does not necessarily end the school’s responsibility when harassment continues at school or affects education.
Disability
When students with disabilities are not taken seriously
Why students with disabilities may face added barriers to reporting and still have legal protections against discrimination and harassment.
Privacy
Questions to ask before disclosing
How to ask about mandatory reporting, privacy, and who may be told before sharing identifying details.
Support
Asking your school for supportive measures
Students can ask for individualized support to stay safe and continue participating in school, whether or not there is an investigation.
Gender stereotypes
Harassment for being “too feminine” or “not masculine enough”
Harassment based on gender stereotypes should be taken seriously, even when others make assumptions about a student’s identity.
School staff
When a teacher crosses the line
What to know about inappropriate student-staff conduct and the importance of clear reporting options.
School culture
Speaking up about sexism
Tools for students, teachers, and staff who want to recognize sexual harassment, sexism, and gender bias and respond effectively.
Find help where you live
What protections does your state provide?
Search state civil rights protections, complaint options, confidentiality information, and organizations that can help you understand and enforce your rights.
Keep the full guide
Know your rights. Know your options. Know where to turn.
Download the full 17-page guide for real-life examples, practical next steps, and links to additional resources for students, families, educators, and advocates.