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About Title IX

Title IX: 20 U.S.C. §1681 & 34 C.F.R. Part 106

“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 educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” -- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Title IX is part of the Education Amendments of 1972 and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education. This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. LCC is one of those recipients.

Why We Need Title IX

Title IX is necessary to create a safe and inclusive environment on all college campuses. We need Title IX to protect all people who are part of Seattle Colleges from incidents of sexual harassment and assault and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.  

Title IX Prohibits Discrimination Based on: 

  • Sexual Harassment 
  • Sexual Orientation 
  • Gender Identity 

Where does Title IX Happen, and to Whom?

  • On- and off-campus education programs and activities
  • All academic programs
  • All athletic and student activities
  • Students
  • Applicant 
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Visitor

What are Seattle Colleges’ Obligations?

  • The college is obligated to provide a prompt, thorough, and equitable investigation of sexual harassment and sexual violence, as defined in Procedure 283 and Procedure 421. 

  • This policy requires Seattle Colleges to address all sexual harassment occurring in educational programs or activities in the United States. Seattle Colleges' 282 Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying policy and procedure cover all other forms of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and sex-based discrimination not covered by Title IX policy and procedure. 

  • Title IX ensures that both reported parties in an event have an equal opportunity to be heard and participate in the full grievance process.

  • Work to end sexual harassment and discrimination 

  • Remedy the impact across the community

  • Prevent the reoccurrence of violence or discrimination

  • Increase education and awareness of Title IX

When will Seattle Colleges get involved?

Once Seattle Colleges has knowledge of conduct that may reasonably constitute sexual harassment (actual knowledge not required - applies to all forms of sexual discrimination, not just sexual harassment), it must respond promptly and effectively. 

Seattle Colleges is not required to act on information disclosed during a public awareness event unless there is an imminent and serious threat to the health and safety of the complainant or other persons. 

Who is responsible to act?

Other than *confidential employees, any college employee, staff, or faculty member is a mandatory reporter and must report any Title IX violations to a Title IX/EEO Coordinator. 

*Confidential employees, when acting in their confidential capacity, will maintain the confidentiality of the information and are not required to report conduct that may reasonably constitute Sex Discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator. Confidential employees must notify the Complainant of their status as confidential employees and the circumstances under which they are not required to notify the Title IX Coordinator. 
 

What is Consent?

Consent means knowing, voluntary, and clear permission by word or action, to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. Each Party has the responsibility to make certain that the other has consented before engaging in the activity. For consent to be valid, there must be, at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact, actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.

A person cannot consent if they are unable to understand what is happening or are disoriented, helpless, asleep, or unconscious for any reason, including due to alcohol or other drugs. An individual who engages in sexual activity when they know, or reasonably should know, that the other person is physically or mentally incapacitated has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct.

Intoxication is not a defense against allegations that an individual has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct.

What is a bystander?

A bystander is a person who is present at an incident or event but is not directly involved in it. A bystander might be at an incident or witness to any circumstances that led up to it.

What is Bystander Intervention?

Bystander Intervention is an important way to recognize possible incidents or situations and choose to respond positively to help others and influence the outcome of the incident.

Bystanders can play a critical role in preventing scenarios that might escalate into a Title IX violation, like sexual assault. They have the ability to call out behaviors that contribute to sex discrimination and harassment based on sex. Moreover, bystanders can engage in skill-building to become stronger supporters of individuals who have endured sexual assault or violence related to gender. In essence, the interventions made by a bystander are valuable and influential.

How to Become an Active Bystander

  1. Be aware of the situation 
  2. Interpret if it is a problem or issue
  3. Feel responsible to act and to help the situation. 
  4. Educate yourself on what to do before the situation arises 
  5. Interrupt safely

How to help safely

  1. Ask the person you are worried about if they are okay. 
  2. Tell another person to get help or call 911 if you are concerned for someone’s safety.  
  3. Distract and remove the uncomfortable party from the situation before escalation. 

Prevention is key

Many instances of sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, and bullying can be prevented if signs are recognized early on and general preventative action is taken. You can protect yourself and others by being aware of your surroundings and educating yourself and your friends about how to avoid situations that may lead to misconduct, as well as what to do if you or someone you know is confronted with such a situation. 

Educational Resources

Mandatory Reporting Responsibility

All Seattle Colleges employees, except Confidential Employees, are Mandatory Reporters and are required to report to the Title IX Coordinator conduct that could reasonably constitute Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment. 

What Happens after a report is made?

  • Confidentiality and privacy is maintained to the furthest extent possible.
  • Access to resources are provided to both the complainant and respondent.
  • Interim measures may be provided (e.g. change of class; no contact order).
  • Equitable, impartial and timely process provided throughout.
  • No retaliation will be tolerated.