Both federal and state law require your school to promptly and fairly investigate and decide complaints of sexual assault. The law also requires your school to take steps to ensure that sexual misconduct does not interfere with your ability to freely participate in your education. If your school has failed to follow the law, you can file a complaint against it with the state or federal government. Read more on filing a complaint with your school's Title IX coordinator, with the Office of Civil Rights, or in court.

 

Here are some examples of scenarios in which you may consider filing a complaint against your school:

 

• An employee of your school discouraged you from reporting the sexual assault

• You were not informed of your right to report to law enforcement

• You were discouraged from reporting to law enforcement

• You were not informed of counseling services

• Your school did not publicly publish its sexual violence disciplinary procedures

• Your school failed to investigate after you reported sexual assault

• You were harassed or threatened during the investigation or adjudication process

• The investigation was inadequate, biased, unreliable, or untimely

• You were retaliated against for reporting sexual assault

• You were not notified of supportive measures available to you during the process

• Your school failed to accommodate your disability

• You were not informed of the outcome of the investigation

• The sanctions imposed on the person who assaulted you were inadequate or unreasonable

• Your school encouraged you to or required that you take time off from your studies or other school-related activities due to the sexual assault or its effects (e.g., PTSD)