Title IX: Sex Discrimination and Harassment

Congress passed Title IX of the Educational Amendment in 1972. Sex discrimination is prohibited in federally assisted education programs. Title IX states: “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.”

Sexual harassment violates state and federal laws as well as District policies 3410, 3430, and 5510, and will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature or based on sex; gender harassment; and harassment based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. The definition of sexual harassment includes many forms of offensive behavior, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from or in the workplace or in the educational setting. Sexual harassment may include: continuing to express sexual interest after having been informed the interest is unwelcomed, making reprisals or threats of reprisal after a rebuff of harassing behavior; engaging in explicit or implicit coercive sexual behavior in the work or educational environment; offering favors or educational or employment benefits, such as grades or promotions, in exchange for sexual favors; and awarding educational or employment benefits, such as grades or promotions, in exchange for sexual favors; and awarding educational or employment benefits based on sexual relationship and denying such benefits to others. Sexual harassment may include the harassment of a person of the same gender as the harasser.