Parent participation and support can be crucial for students falsely accused of sexual misconduct under Title IX. If you've recently discovered that this is a reality for your college student, you may not completely understand the process or how to get involved. Here are a few key pointers that you should be aware of:

You will not be automatically notified of student conduct issues

Because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), you may not receive immediate notification of your child's allegations. This law assures the privacy of all student records, including student conduct records. Although there are some exceptions to this rule, it's naive for parents to assume that they'll always be notified by the school if their student has been labeled an alleged perpetrator of sexual misconduct. Oftentimes, students themselves keep their parents out of the loop because they feel shame or embarrassment for their accusations. For these reasons, it's crucial that you talk to your college student before a time of crisis. Let them know that you expect, without question, notification if they are ever involved in a conduct violation and that you will provide ongoing support and guidance.

Your child's education, living situation etc. may be disrupted

Once an institution receives notification of a complaint, its main priority becomes protecting the alleged victim and the campus community from potential retaliation. One of the methods of preventing this occurrence and maintaining a safe learning environment is through the enactment of interim measures. Interim measures are guidelines that limit the interactions between opposing parties listed in a complaint. The extent of restrictiveness these measures may induce depends on the circumstances of a case. Student respondents have been subject to drastic disruptions in their college life, by having to obey residency reassignments, changes in their work schedules, limited access to certain areas of the university, or an outright suspension in response to a complaint.

There are resources available

Not too many people consider the feelings of the accused. It's appropriate for schools to be concerned with the mental health of an accuser. But it's not appropriate for them to completely disregard the wellbeing of a respondent. Being labeled a rapist, being shunned by your peers, and facing the possibility of the discontinuation of your college career is a heavy burden. Even if your college student feels like they can get through their situation unscathed, it would be a good idea to recommend they speak to a mental health professional. If your child insists that they are innocent, being accused of sexual assault can be traumatic. You can't depend on them to not be affected by these circumstances.

You need the help of an attorney

Hiring an attorney to serve as an advisor in your college student's case has its advantages. Throughout the school's adjudication process, your student will have to collect evidence and build a solid defense. Legal professionals have experience questioning witnesses and presenting evidence in an effective way. They'll also provide a student with realistic options regarding litigation processes or a potential appeal.

Title IX Attorney Helping Clients Nationwide

National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped numerous students overcome their allegations. He can do the same for your child. For more information about his representation or his firm, contact him online or give him a call at 888-535-3686 today.