When TItle IX of the Education Amendments was passed in 1972, it included protections that are still in place for students across California to this day. And importantly, these rights apply whether you’re in high school, college, or a graduate program at a public or private school that receives federal funding. But it can still be confusing if you think your rights are being violated in this environment. Our team at Maison Law can answer your questions and help you through the process. Set up a free consultation today.
What Title IX Rights Do I Have in California?
Because it’s a federal law, Title IX applies across California, and adds to the already strong protections the state has in place when it comes to discrimination in a school setting. But it’s still helpful to look at what rights you have and when they apply:
- You have the right to learn in an environment free from sex-based discrimination. This includes discrimination based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy. Schools aren’t allowed to treat you differently or limit your opportunities because of any of these.
- You’re protected from sexual harassment and sexual violence. Title IX covers a wide range of behavior—unwanted sexual comments, inappropriate messages, stalking, assault, and more. If something creates a hostile or uncomfortable learning environment, the school has a responsibility to step in.
- You have the right to report what happened—and be taken seriously. Schools are required to have a clear process for handling complaints. Once you report an issue, they’re supposed to respond promptly, investigate fairly, and keep you informed along the way.
- You can ask for support, even if you don’t file a formal complaint. This is something a lot of people don’t realize. You can request changes like a class schedule adjustment, housing changes, extensions on assignments, or no-contact orders—without immediately starting a full investigation.
- You’re protected from retaliation. If you speak up, your school cannot punish you for it. That includes things like grading changes, disciplinary action, or being treated differently by staff or faculty because you reported something.
- You have the right to a fair process. If a formal complaint moves forward, both sides are entitled to a process that’s unbiased. That includes the chance to present evidence, respond to claims, and have an advisor present during proceedings.
- Pregnant and parenting students have specific protections. Schools must allow reasonable accommodations—like excused absences for medical needs—and give you the ability to make up missed work. You shouldn’t be pushed out of programs or treated as if you don’t belong.
Discrimination based on your sex and gender is something that should never be tolerated. Unfortunately, even with Title IX in place, you still might find yourself in a situation where you need to take action. But that brings up a natural question: what types of damages are available in a Title IX lawsuit?
What Damages Can I Get in a Title IX Lawsuit?
Again, facing a situation where your Title IX rights are being violated is extremely isolating and scary. But you do have options for taking action and moving forward. It usually starts with filing a Title IX claim directly with your school, with the goal of policy changes through an internal investigation.
Sometimes, that’s enough. But most of the time, it isn’t. That’s when you can move forward with a lawsuit against your school in federal court. It works just like a civil claim in state court, but your damages are a bit different. In a Title IX lawsuit, you can expect to recover things like:
- Medical and counseling expenses
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Lost educational opportunities or scholarships
- Attorneys fees and court costs
Going through something like this in a school setting can feel isolating in a way that’s hard to explain. You’re in a place that’s supposed to be safe, and suddenly it doesn’t feel that way anymore.
A Title IX claim is one way to push back against that—to say the school should have done better, and that what happened matters. If you’re trying to figure out your next steps, our team at Maison Law will be there to guide you. Set up a free, no-obligation consultation today to get started.
