If you have been accused of sexual misconduct in a private school, you may be wondering if Title IX applies to your case. Fater all, the federal law applies to federally-funded educational programs such as public colleges or universities. 

Although Title IX includes exemptions for certain programs, the majority of private colleges must follow the regulations under Title IX. Thus, students accused of sexual misconduct that constitutes a violation of the law must speak with an education lawyer in Florida to know how they can protect their rights. 

Should Private Schools Follow Title IX Rules?

As private colleges are not government-sponsored, they don’t need to abide by a lot of rules established for public colleges. But private colleges get some type of federal funding like federal student loans, research grants, Pell grants, and work-study programs. Thus, they must follow the same requirements under Title IX as public colleges. This means that private colleges need to establish the same kinds of procedures and policies for handling sexual misconduct accusations as state-run schools. 

When Private School Students Must Consult a Title IX Attorney

Procedures and rules that address accusations of on-campus sexual misconduct are established to protect possible victims. Students accused of violating Title IX may not be afforded their due process rights. In addition, Title IX proceedings on campus don’t give them a lot of the same protections they could get in court. 

Sexual misconduct accusations can leave the accused without friends. To protect their legal rights and future, they must speak with an attorney and get helpful advice. The right attorney can help make sure the student’s account of what happened is given attention and they can take steps to reduce the effects of the allegations on their record and future.    

A sexual misconduct allegation may not seem quite serious on the surface when it’s a Title IX violation instead of a criminal charge. But the result of the disciplinary proceedings can damage the reputation of the student and make them ineligible for future opportunities. Additionally, the accused that has been judged in a tribunal can face criminal charges that stem from the same sexual misconduct incident. 

By working with a skilled attorney once the accusations arise, the defendant at a private school can get protect their rights and establish a strong defense strategy. A great attorney is aware of how worse things can go for the accused after the proceeding and the detrimental impacts that usually follow.