Title IX Law Grades 7-12

Title IX – The Law Welcome! Today we are going to learn about an important law called “Title IX”. It is one of your civil rights as an American.

Title IX law is about eliminating discrimination and bullying so that we all feel safe at school. Title IX law is about eliminating discrimination and bullying so that we all feel safe in school. Everyone has the right to feel safe in school.

Tell an Adult We should all know who to tell when we don’t feel safe: Teacher Parent Counselor Principal Custodian Cafeteria Staff District Title IX Coordinator We all should know who to tell if we don’t feel safe. Trusted adults might include a teacher, parent, counselor, Principal, Custodian, Cafeteria Staff, or the district Title IX Coordinator.

Discrimination Discrimination is when people are bullied or treated unfairly because of a characteristic, such as whether they are a girl or boy, what they look like, or how old they are. Sometimes, people don’t feel safe because of discrimination. Discrimination is when people are bullied or treated unfairly because of a characteristic, such as gender, ethnicity, or age. This means they might be treated unfairly because they are a boy or a girl, because of what they look like, or how old they are.

Gender Discrimination Title IX law protects us specifically from the type of discrimination called sexual discrimination or gender discrimination. This is when someone is being bullied or treated unfairly because they are a boy or a girl or do not act in the way they think a boy or girl should act. It also protects us from being discriminated against for our sexual identity. This is when someone identifies as being gay, lesbian, straight, or bi-sexual.

Sexual Harassment Sexual Assault Title IX law also protects us from sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Verbal Physical Written Non-verbal Types of Bullying Verbal Physical Written Non-verbal Let’s review what bullying looks like. There are four types of bullying: Verbal, physical, written, and non-verbal. Sexual harassment is unwanted bullying or behaviors that are sexual in nature.

Name Calling Jokes Rumors Verbal Bullying Name Calling Jokes Rumors Verbal sexual harassment can include name calling, such as calling someone gay or a slut, joking around about someone, and spreading rumors.

Written/Cyber Bullying Written messages that are mean or hurtful: Online Posts Videos Text Messages Written or Cyber bullying is when mean or hurtful messages are written down on paper, or spread online, through something like Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. Pictures, videos, and messages that are posted on line can go viral very quickly and spread around the school. This can create a hostile environment where people don’t feel safe coming to school. If this happens to you or someone you know, tell an adult.

Non-Verbal Bullying Staring Checking Someone Out Inappropriate Gestures Another type of bullying is called Non-Verbal Bullying. In terms of sexual harassment, this might include staring, checking someone out, or using inappropriate gestures.

Physical Bullying Touch that is unwanted or hurts. Some types of sexual harassment including physical bullying, such as when a person or a group of people touches someone in a way that is unwanted or that hurts.

Sexual Assault Silence Consent Anything up to, and including, sexual intercourse without consent. Consent: Freely agreeing to do the same thing. Silence Consent Title IX law also protects us from sexual assault. This includes any type of sexual touching without consent, up to and including sexual intercourse. Consent means freely agreeing to do the same thing. Remember that silence or lack of protest does not mean consent and may be prosecuted.

Say No Get Away Tell Someone Three Rules Remember, sexual harassment is not flirting. If it makes you feel uncomfortable or is unwanted, it is not okay. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone by anyone regardless of gender or age. There are three rules to remember if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe: Say No, Get Away, and Tell Someone.

Tell an Adult We should all know who to tell when we don’t feel safe: Teacher Parent Counselor Principal Custodian Cafeteria Staff Title IX Coordinator Remember, we spoke earlier about how everyone needs to have an adult that they feel safe talking to. Think about who you might talk to if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. It can be a teacher, a parent, a counselor, a Principal, a Custodian, a Cafeteria Worker, or the district Title IX Coordinator. These are just a few examples.

Resources Handout Notice of Non-Discrimination   Bernalillo Public Schools (BPS) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities it operates. BPS does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission to or employment in its education programs or activities. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations may be referred to the Bernalillo Public Schools Title IX Coordinator or to the Office of Civil Rights (see contact information below). Bernalillo Public Schools Title IX Coordinator Director of Human Resources - Eric W. James 560 S. Camino Del Pueblo Bernalillo, NM  87004 505-404-5717 Office  505-867-7850 Fax ejames@bps.k12.nm.us It is okay if you have questions about what we spoke about today. Your school counselor can answer any questions you may have or help you learn more about anything we have talked about. Remember that Title IX is the law. We have a handout to remind you of the things we discussed. Thank you for being such a great audience. Some presentation content courtesy of Kansas City Schools and MOCSA