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Title IX: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault: Harvard University, Harvard Law School (MA) (01-11-2002)

On December 30, 2014, OCR resolved a Title IX complaint filed against Harvard University (University) and it’s Law School (Law School).  OCR initiated an investigation in response to a complaint alleging that the Law School’s grievance policies and procedures failed to comply with Title IX by not providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment complaints, including sexual assault complaints. Based on a broad investigation, OCR determined that the Law School's current and prior sexual harassment policies and procedures failed to comply with Title IX's requirements for prompt and equitable response to complaints of sexual harassment and sexual assault; the Law School did not ensure that individuals implementing the policies and procedures were adequately trained; and the Law School improperly used a “clear and convincing” evidence standard of proof in its Title IX grievance procedures in violation of Title IX.  The Law School signed an Agreement where the Law School will revise all applicable sexual harassment policies and procedures to comply with Title IX and provide clear notice of which policy and procedure applies to Law School complaints; through its Title IX Coordinator, coordinate provision of appropriate interim steps to provide for the safety of the complainant and campus community during an investigation; share information between the Harvard University Police Department and the University and notify complainants of their right to file a Title IX complaint with the Law School as well as to pursue the criminal process in cases of sexual assault or other sexual violence; notify students and employees about the Law School's Title IX coordinators and their contact information; train staff and provide information sessions for students on the policies and procedures applicable to Law School complaints; conduct annual climate assessments to assess whether the steps and measures being taken by the Law School are effective and to inform future proactive steps to be taken by Law School; review any complaints of sexual harassment filed during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years to carefully scrutinize whether the Law School investigated the complaints consistent with Title IX and provide any additional remedies necessary for the complainants; and track and submit for OCR's review information on all sexual harassment/violence complaints and reports of sexual harassment/violence filed during the course of the monitoring and responsive action taken by the Law School.

Read the Press Release | Read the Resolution Letter download files PDF (355K) | Read the Resolution Agreement download files PDF (3.8M)

 



   
Last Modified: 01/15/2020