In 1972, President Richard Nixon passed a law that makes it illegal to discriminate against a student based on their gender in any federally-funded educational institution. This law is called Title IX. This law had good intentions at the time it was enacted and still has good intentions to this day. Because of Title IX, there is a greater percentage of women athletes at universities around the country. Because of Title IX, many women have the opportunity to excel in academic fields previously dominated by men. Because of Title IX, women have been given a greater chance at equality. But, even with the enforcement of Title IX, thousands of alleged rapists walk freely on campuses every day, simply because students don’t know their rights.
This past week, a former Kent State softball player filed a lawsuit against the university as well as her former coach for failure to comply with Title IX procedures when dealing with a case of alleged sexual abuse. The student claims she was raped by her coach’s son (who, at the time, played baseball for the university) in December of 2012, their freshman year. The student suffered in silence for nearly a year until she reached out to family members after being harassed by her alleged rapist. Months later, the student filed a Title IX complaint with the university when she gained the courage to confide in her coach about the abuse in which her son allegedly committed.
The moment the athlete disclosed this information to her coach, it was university policy that she must report it to the Title IX coordinator; she did not. After becoming frustrated with the lack of action upon her complaint, she went directly to the Title IX office on campus and filed yet another complaint, this time against her coach for breaking university policy. This was in August 2015. The deputy coordinator at the time promised to help the student, and take the initiative that her coach lacked. Within 24 hours, the deputy coordinator contacted the student to tell her that, in fact, they would not be filing the formal complaint against her coach. Instead, after talking to the Kent State University Athletic Director, they had come to the conclusion that a “surprise interview” would take place. This breaks Kent State University policy. This breaks Title IX. This breaks federal law.
Soon after the “surprise interview” with the coach took place, she resigned. Not even a month later, the Title IX deputy coordinator who handled the case resigned as well. Nothing further was done by the University to investigate the alleged rape. It seemed as if all of the individuals involved (minus the victim) would have rather forget about the whole situation. But, as a victim, this is something you can never forget.
These university-employed adults, who are meant to be leaders, role models and confidants to students and staff alike should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. And while I am disgusted by the actions and behaviors of the people who are supposedly representing Kent State University, I am even more sickened by the Title IX office’s failure to uphold the sole purpose of their position.
Thankfully, this student knew her rights. She knew her case was mishandled and filed a lawsuit. But so many students don’t know their rights. In too many universities across the nation, cases of rape and sexual harassment with both men and women are mishandled. In many cases, individuals run the risk of having to face their accused attacker every day on campus, all because they were let down by their own institution. This is not okay.
I implore you to read the transcript of this specific lawsuit here. But even more, I ask that as students, you know what’s happening on your campus. That if there is, or ever has been an issue with unreported or ignored claims of sexual assault, you speak up. This law is meant to protect both men and women, and yet time after time, we hear of universities across the nation sweeping reports of assault under the rug, whether it be for their own protection or to preserve an image. Everyone should have the right report any kind of sexual abuse. Everyone DOES have the right. No one should ever be silenced. Know about Title IX.
Learn more about your rights at knowyourix.org.
