On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education released new Title IX regulations governing how schools respond to harassment. Title IX was enacted to guarantee all students equal educational opportunities free from sex discrimination. The updates and revisions to the regulations clarify that student survivors of sexual harassment, pregnant and parenting students, and LGBTQ+ students have comprehensive protections against discrimination in school.

The new rule will restore an understanding of Title IX’s commitment to strong protections for student survivors by:

• Requiring schools to address Title IX complaints even if reported harassment is not yet severe and pervasive; occurred off campus or abroad; or the survivor is no longer enrolled at the school
• Ensuring students are not forced into unfair and potentially traumatic grievance procedures that favor those who cause harm.
• Ensuring that more students have access to the resources needed to feel safe and supported at school.
• Guaranteeing the rights of LGBTQ+ to attend school without fear of harassment.
• Reaffirming that LGBTQ+ students are protected against sex-based discrimination.

For more than nine years, WEAVE has worked to support hundreds of student survivors in understanding and engaging in Title IX reporting. This includes having embedded confidential advocates and community educators at K-12 schools as well as Los Rios Community College District campuses and at CSU Sacramento. WEAVE applauds the release of the new Title IX regulations and correcting prior rulings which caused unnecessary harm and traumatization. Ending sexual violence is a community effort, we all have a duty to ensure students are safe and this is a step in the right direction.