Title IX Lawsuits
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as codified under 20 U.S. Code § 1681(a), 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.” Nearly all private colleges and universities are required to abide by Title IX regulations because they receive federal funding through federal financial aid programs used by their students.
Any person who believes there has been an act of discrimination on the basis of sex against any person or group in an education program or activity that receives federal financial assistance can file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the agency within the United States Department of Education (ED) with the mission to “ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights in our nation’s schools.” Victims can file lawsuits in federal court against offending institutions.
Lawyer for Title IX Lawsuits in West Chester, PA
Were you or the loved one the victim of discrimination on the basis of sex at an institution of higher learning in Pennsylvania that receives federal financial assistance? You will want to contact Ciccarelli Law Offices as soon as possible.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys in West Chester represent clients in Delaware County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Lancaster County, and the greater Philadelphia area. You can have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (610) 719-3190 to receive a free initial consultation.
Overview of Title IX Lawsuits in Chester County
- How are OCR complaints handled?
- When can people file Title IX lawsuits?
- Where can I find more information about Title IX lawsuits in West Chester?
Filing Title IX Complaints in Pennsylvania
The ED website states that OCR “vigorously enforces Title IX to ensure that institutions that receive federal financial assistance from ED comply with the law.” OCR has the authority to investigate complaints claiming a covered entity—any public or private program that receives federal funds from ED—discriminated based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, or ancestry; sex; disability; or age.
OCR also has the authority to investigate complaints claiming a covered entity:
- retaliated for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege protected by the laws enforced by OCR;
- retaliated because someone made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an OCR matter; and
- discriminated against any youth group officially affiliated with a group or organization listed in Title 36 of the United States Code (as a patriotic society) that is intended to serve young people under the age of 21 that requests to conduct a meeting at a public school.
Complaints of discrimination must be filed within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. The person submitting the complaint will be asked whether he or she tried to resolve the matter using a grievance procedure or by filing with another agency, such as an institutional grievance procedure or Clery Act complaint).
Even if 180 days have passed since the last act of discrimination, an individual may still want to file a complaint as OCR has the power to extend the 180-day period when a complainant can show “good cause.” OCR will open an investigation and either make a determination of insufficient evidence (allegations not supported by investigation) or non-compliance.
When OCR determines that the preponderance of the evidence supports a conclusion that an institution failed to comply with an applicable regulation or regulations, OCR will prepare a letter of finding and a proposed resolution agreement. The resolution agreement must include action steps that, when implemented, will remedy both the individual discrimination at issue as well as any systemic discrimination, and OCR attempt to negotiate the resolution agreement with the institution.
If the institution is unwilling to negotiate a voluntary resolution agreement after a non-compliance determination, OCR can initiate administrative enforcement measures that suspend or terminate the institution’s federal financial assistance or possibly refer the case to the Department of Justice.
Filing Title IX Lawsuits in West Chester, PA
A lawsuit may take much longer to resolve, but it also gives a victim much greater control over the lawsuit as opposed to a complaint. Victims who file Title IX lawsuits can receive greater, more specific types of relief than they might receive from complaints.
A victim also has more time to file a lawsuit than a complaint, as the statute of limitations is two years for a student in Pennsylvania to file a Title IX lawsuit. Title IX lawsuits are frequently cases of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation that may include, but are not limited to:
- Bullying;
- Employment discrimination;
- Inadequate funding;
- Pregnancy discrimination;
- Sexual assault;
- Sexual harassment; or
- Sexual orientation / gender identity discrimination.
If a court finds that an institution has violated Title IX, it can provide injunctive relief—a court order that forces a college or university to end an offending practice or take a specific action to prevent offending actions—as well as possible compensation to the victim. Both parties will have the right to appeal.
Pennsylvania Title IX Lawsuit Resources
Title IX and Sex Discrimination | ED — Visit this section of the ED website to learn more about the scope of Title IX and OCR’s enforcement of Title IX. You can also find a link to ED Title IX regulations in Volume 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 106. The website also allows you to access electronic and PDF versions of OCR complaint forms.
Know Your IX | Empowering Students to Stop Sexual Violence — Know Your IX identifies itself as “a survivor- and youth-led project of Advocates for Youth that aims to empower students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools.” Visit this website to learn more about your rights under Title IX and ways you can take action. You can also find various resources for survivors as well as friends and family.
Find a Title IX Lawsuit Attorney in West Chester, PA
If you believe you or a loved one was the victim of discrimination at an institution of higher learning in Pennsylvania that receives federal financial assistance, it is in your best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. Ciccarelli Law Offices has office locations in Lancaster, Radnor, Kennett Square, Philadelphia, Springfield, Malvern, King of Prussia, and Plymouth Square.
Our West Chester personal injury lawyers work as a team to help clients achieve the most favorable possible outcomes to their cases. Call (610) 692-8700 or fill out an online contact form to have our attorneys review your case and answer all of your legal questions during a free, no obligation consultation.
Contact Our PA Personal Injury Lawyers
We are a team of Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers our main offices located in West Chester, Chester County Pennsylvania and serving clients throughout the greater Philadelphia Metro Area including Lancaster County, Berks County, Bucks County, Delaware County and Montgomery County. If your family has been victimized by the negligence of another and you are seeking a free initial consult on you rights and possible claims, it is crucial you speak to an experienced Pennsylvania Injury lawyers in order to ensure your rights are protected and to review all of your legal options with you.
The Injury attorneys of Ciccarelli Law Offices have successfully represented individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania that have been injured in accidents. Our Chester County based law firm is based at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380 and serves clients throughout Pennsylvania including but not limited to in Kennett Square, Downingtown, West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, Chester Springs, Chadds Ford, Landenberg, Lancaster, Media, Harrisburg, Reading, Philadelphia, Honey Brook, Oxford, Malvern, Parkesburg, Phoenixville and Paoli. Contact us now at (610) 692-8700 or call toll free (877) 529-2422. Don’t wait—contact an attorney immediately.