Recognizing and Responding to Violations of Title IX
Introduction
Title IX violations can take a variety of forms, many of which may not involve overt sexual harassment or violence. This section will provide guidance on recognizing violations, whether you witness them firsthand or they are reported to you by a claimant or third party, and introduce actions you can take to support possible victims and ensure they are aware of the resources available to them. In addition to following the "action steps" set forth in this section, always err on the side of caution and follow the reporting procedures outlined at the end of this training whenever there is any reason to suspect that a violation may have occurred.
Who is covered under Title IX?
Title IX offers very broad protections to individuals affiliated with educational institutions receiving Federal funding such as the Institute for Advanced Study. People of all sexual orientations and identities are protected, as are those occupying a very wide range of roles with regard to the organization – from our full-time Faculty and Staff, to our visiting scholars, to contractors who provide one-off services such as catering and maintenance or repair work, all fall under the Title IX umbrella.
How will I know if what I’m observing or experiencing is a Title IX violation?
Any actions that can be described by the terminology defined in the previous section (sexual assault, discrimination, stalking, etc.) represent violations of Title IX, but judging whether actions or behaviors merit these descriptors is not always easy to determine. Does an off-color joke violate Title IX? A pat on the back or squeeze of the shoulder? To some, the joke would be funny. To others, it’s offensive. A pat on the back might be interpreted as a sign of encouragement, or it could be perceived as a violation of personal space or an unwelcome sexual advance. The key criterion in determining whether an action violates Title IX is NOT the intent of the person telling the joke or patting the back, it is the effects of those actions on the person experiencing them.
How will I know when to get involved?
It is the responsibility of everyone affiliated with the Institute to create an environment that discourages Title IX violations and to take appropriate actions when a possible violation occurs. You may observe an incident first-hand, receive information about it from an alleged victim, or hear about it from a third party. Regardless of how you acquire the knowledge, as a member of the Institute community, you are required to take certain follow-up actions to help address the situation.
Be Aware of the “Bystander Effect”
The bystander effect occurs when the presence of others dissuades an individual from intervening or acting in an emergency situation. The bystander effect is attributed to the diffusion of responsibility and social influence. Bystanders often assume they should not act - an attitude reinforced by seeing that others are not acting. These attitudes contribute to the continuation of sex based discrimination, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.