Title IX and Sexual Assault
Title IX is found in the Education Amendment of 1972. This federal civil rights law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender against students, staff, and faculty on college and university campuses. All education institutions that receive federal funding are required to comply with Title IX. Adhering to this law consists of carrying out its processes - investigations, grievances, hearings etc. - in the event that an instance of sexual misconduct is reported to an institution. Not only must a school fulfill these obligations, they must do so in a fashion that is considered prompt and effective in the eyes of federal agencies.
This expected immediate response from school's was first referenced by the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education. The department provided a letter to all institutions that receive federal funding that emphasized each school's responsibility to handle reports of this nature more aggressively than previously approached. Any schools that were discovered not doing so could possibly be subjected to a loss of federal funding.
With the immense pressure put on institutions from federal agencies, schools have changed their tune. Prior to these efforts, many would sweep reported instances sexual misconduct under the rug in fear of drawing bad publicity to a school. But now, school's have seemingly approached these cases from one extreme to another, by hastily carrying out Title IX processes in a way that isn't always fair to all the parties involved. Unfortunately, the party that often suffers due to these rushed processes is the accused.
Higher education institutions have been known to rush processes and disciplinary actions to appease federal agencies. In turn, the accused is not given a chance to properly defend themselves. It has been revealed in previous cases that schools have destroyed evidence that challenges the story of the accuser, and have failed to provide the accused a clear explanation of the allegations he or she faces in an effort to speed up Title IX processes. This conduct is completely against guidelines and is counterproductive to the fairness and equity that Title IX essentially enforces.
Choosing an Attorney as Your Title IX Advisor
Hiring an attorney as your advisor could help combat this trend of unfairness towards the accused. Although attorneys, or any other advisor for that matter, may not be able to physically represent you in a hearing, he or she has skills that are useful in defending your case. During the investigation process, one of the most important processes carried out by Title IX, a lawyer would be especially useful considering that they work closely with investigators regularly. Also, in some circumstances, attorneys have been known to conduct their own investigations to obtain evidence for their clients. But more importantly, hiring a lawyer sends a message to the school that a student is serious about protecting the rights that have been entitled to him or her by both Title IX and the institution.
Experienced South Carolina Title IX Advisor
If you are a college student who has been accused of sexual assault on a South Carolina college or university campus, you should consult with a professional. These allegations are serious and should be handled by someone who is knowledgeable of Title IX law and your school's code of conduct. Skilled Title IX advisor Joseph D. Lento is here to help. Contact him today.
South Carolina colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Aiken Technical College
- Allen University
- Anderson University
- Benedict College
- Bob Jones University
- Brown Mackie College Greenville
- Central Carolina Technical College
- Charleston Southern University
- Citadel Military College of South Carolina
- Claflin University
- Clemson University
- Clinton Junior College
- Coastal Carolina University
- Coker College
- College of Charleston
- Columbia College
- Columbia International University
- Converse College
- Denmark Technical College
- Erskine College and Seminary
- Florence Darlington Technical College
- Forrest College
- Francis Marion University
- Furman University
- Golf Academy of America Myrtle Beach
- Greenville Technical College
- Horry Georgetown Technical College
- ITT Technical Institute Columbia
- ITT Technical Institute Greenville
- ITT Technical Institute Myrtle Beach
- ITT Technical Institute North Charleston
- Lander University
- Limestone College
- Medix School Fortis College
- Midlands Technical College
- Miller Motte Technical College
- Miller Motte Technical College North Charleston
- Morris College
- Newberry College
- North Greenville University
- Northeastern Technical College
- Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
- Piedmont Technical College
- Presbyterian College
- South Carolina State University
- South University Columbia
- Southern Wesleyan University
- Spartanburg Community College
- Spartanburg Methodist College
- Technical College of the Lowcountry
- The Art Institute of Charleston
- Tri County Technical College
- Trident Technical College
- University of Phoenix Columbia Campus
- University of South Carolina Aiken
- University of South Carolina Beaufort
- University of South Carolina Columbia
- University of South Carolina Lancaster
- University of South Carolina Salkehatchie
- University of South Carolina Sumter
- University of South Carolina Union
- University of South Carolina Upstate
- Virginia College
- Virginia College in Charleston
- Virginia College Columbia
- Virginia College Greenville
- Voorhees College
- W L Bonner College
- Williamsburg Technical College
- Winthrop University
- Wofford College
- York Technical College
Title IX violations and Title IX charges can change an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process, and Joseph D. Lento has nearly a decade of experience passionately fighting for the futures of his clients at universities and colleges throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor and educational consultant to students facing disciplinary cases in South Carolina and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
