Title IX (1972) is a Federal (National) Law
This law serves as a powerful tool for combating campus violence. The law requires colleges receiving federal funding to combat gender-based violence and harassment, and respond to survivors’ needs in order to ensure that all students have equal access to education.
Any sexual violence or physical abuse
As defined by California law, whether committed by an employee, student, or member of the public, occurring on college-owned or controlled property, at college-sponsored or supervised functions, or related to or arising from college attendance or activity is a violation of District policies and regulations, and is subject to all applicable punishment, including criminal and/or civil prosecution and employee or student discipline procedures.
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.
As a student, you can take action to stop sexual misconduct and violence. Learn more about how you can make a difference:
Other Title IX Definitions:
Title IX is a landmark federal civil right that prohibits sex discrimination in education. Title IX is not just about sports; it is a prohibition against sex-based discrimination in education. It addresses discrimination against pregnant and parenting students and women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs. It also addresses sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, and sexual violence. Sexual violence includes attempted or completed rape or sexual assault, as well as sexual harassment, stalking, voyeurism, exhibitionism, verbal or physical sexuality-based threats or abuse, and intimate partner violence.
Title IX does not apply to female students only
Title IX protects any person from sex-based discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression. All female, male, and gender non-conforming individuals are protected from any sex-based discrimination, harassment or violence.
The Clery Act (Jeane Clery Act) - Amended Title IX in 1990
This act requires all publicly funded colleges and universities to share information about all types of crimes on campus, and their efforts to improve campus safety as well as inform the public of crime in or around campus. The Clery Act also requires schools to provide options to survivors of sexual misconduct so they may have the opportunity to succeed in their educations goals. Colleges must also assist survivors in notifying local law enforcement in a safe and empowered manner. Finally, institutions of higher education must provide specific rights to both the survivor and the accused through the disciplinary process. Learn more about Jeane Clery and the Clery Act.
The Violence Against Women Act VAWA (1994)
– and its 2000, 2005 & 2013 reaffirmations – amends the Clery Act and expands the rights afforded to campus survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Under VAWA, colleges must include policy statements that outline the procedures an institution will follow after an incident of violence occurs, and identifies options available to survivors. VAWA amendments require prevention programs that aim to stop violent crimes before they occur. Issues of confidentiality of disclosure and reporting, and specifics regarding Hate Crimes as they relate to sexual misconduct acts have also been outlined by VAWA. Learn more about VAWA.
The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act
(Campus SaVE Act)
- of 2013 amends the Clery Act and was designed to help colleges better protect their students and employees from sexual violence. SaVE was designed as a companion to Title IX to bolster the responses to and prevention of sexual violence in higher education. SaVE requires colleges to increase transparency about the scope of sexual violence on campus, guarantee victims enhanced rights, provide for standards in institutional conduct proceedings, and provide campus community-wide prevention educational programming.
What is not Title IX
• Title IX only applies when a VCCCD student is involved.
• The district does not have jurisdiction over non-students.
• Title IX also does not cover cases that occur off campus, unless part of a school-sponsored activity.