Most Title IX allegations arise out of non-consensual sexual situations. Title IX requires all schools that receive federal funding to establish investigatory and disciplinary procedures to deal with all instances of alleged discrimination based on sex.
One major example of these sexual discrimination incidents is sexual violence. In short, if a student faces an accusation of any kind concerning sexual battery, sexual violence, or even harassment because of the alleged target’s sex, this counts as a Title IX violation.
However, if you are facing accusations of a Title IX violation, one key defense is that the contact was consensual. Still, students must take caution in their actions, and any misinterpretation of your behavior could lead to significant trouble. An attorney could help you to raise consent as a defense in Fairfax Title IX cases.
Examples of Title IX Violations
Title IX prohibits any type of sex discrimination on college campuses. While this does require schools to provide equal funding for educational and extracurricular activities, it also requires schools to establish procedures to prevent sex discrimination in all its forms.
This includes taking all possible steps to prevent instances of sexual violence. These can range in severity from simple harassment or stalking, to an unsolicited kiss or touch, to severe allegations of rape. Regardless of the potential criminal consequences for these actions, a school could also act to punish a student on their own. This could include a forced change of residence, suspension, or even expulsion. It is vital that any student facing these allegations put forward a powerful defense.
Consent as a Defense to Title IX Allegations
A key part of any sexual encounter with another person is the idea of consent. In short, it is illegal and a violation of schools’ conduct codes to have any physical contact with another person without their consent. This can even apply to non-physical contact as repeated communications through e-mail, texting, social media, or over the phone may constitute harassment.
As a result, a common and effective defense to any Title IX allegation in Fairfax is to argue that any contact was consensual. Providing evidence of text messages or emails that indicate a willingness to meet may help to defeat harassment allegations. Further, evidence of an ongoing consensual sexual relationship could help to disprove allegations of sexual assault. An attorney could help to gather this evidence and to use it to provide a defense in Fairfax Title IX cases.
Consent in Fairfax Title IX Cases Could be a Powerful Defense
Schools go to great lengths to protect their students from any form of sex discrimination. This includes preventing any unwelcome contact that is motivated by an alleged victim’s gender. Instances such as harassment, stalking, or sexual battery could all lead to a Title IX investigation.
Your most effective defense in these cases may be to argue that any contact was encouraged by the other party. The idea of consent can be central to any Title IX case and may even serve to defeat any attendant criminal charges that can follow. An attorney could help you to develop a defense built around consent.
They can work to gather documentary evidence of the relationship and to talk with any witnesses to demonstrate that any contact was the product of mutual consent. Contact an attorney today to work towards defeating a Title IX allegation in Fairfax.
