The Basics
Title IX is a federal civil right that prohibits gender-based discrimination. Protections from gender-based or sex-based discrimination are extended to all people on campus regardless of their real or perceived sex, gender identity or gender expression.
Areas covered under Title IX include such things as:
- Gender Discrimination, including Gender Identity
- Sexual Harassment
- Dating & Domestic Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Pregnancy
- Retaliation
Retaliation directed anyone who makes a complaint or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited.
What You Can Do
Talk to the Title IX Coordinator, who can
- help you decide how to proceed
- explain both formal and informal resolution processes
- coach you on ways to address unwanted behaviors
- connect you with resources
- coordinate interim measures and modifications
Know Your Student Rights & Responsibilities
- Bellevue College’s Student Code of Conduct
- For more information regarding your rights and how Title IX serves to protect, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights gives a detailed description for students and educational institutions.
- For information on immigration options for victims of crime, please see the USCIS brochure.
Understand the College’s Responsibilities
- All employees of the college, including student employees, are required to report any Title IX concern.
- The college is required to respond to reports of sex-based discrimination by investigating what happened and doing their best to remedy the impact and prevent it from happening again.
Identify Behaviors that Could Be and/or Lead to Sexual Harassment
- A person’s actions can result in sexual harassment even if they had no intent to harass.
- Be clear about consent.
- According to Washington State law, RCW 9A.44.010, “Consent” means that at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact there are actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
- How do you know if you have consent?
- What kind of behaviors might equal sexual harassment? A single behavior would not necessarily qualify as sexual harassment unless it was severe. However, a patter of behaviors, when persistent and/or pervasive can meet the criteria.
Help Prevent It
- Bystander intervention has a significant impact on preventing all types of violence by interrupting behaviors early. Learn more about strategies for intervening on our Bystander Intervention page.
Last Updated November 18, 2020
