🎉 🎂 Happy 44th birthday to Title IX! 🎂 🎉
Pop quiz! In which of the following areas does Title IX help ensure gender equity?
A. Fairness in school admissions
B. Access to athletics
C. Protection from sexual harassment and sexual assault
D. Opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
E. All of the above
If you answered E, you are correct!
Many people think that Title IX exclusively addresses gender equity in school athletics, but the law has a much broader focus.
Signed into law on June 23, 1972, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity — public or private — when it comes to receiving federal funds.
The law applies to every aspect of educational activities from preschool through higher education, including admissions, recruitment, academics, employment, athletics, and student services.
Title IX is widely recognized for its role in the huge growth of women’s athletic programs, but imagine if we made as much progress inthe other aspects Title IX covers as we have with sports.
That women and girls still face discrimination on campus is why it’s so important to spread the word that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights recently released three sorely needed tools: a letter to schools reiterating the importance of Title IX coordinators, a thank-you letter directly to coordinators reaffirming their roles, and a free resource manual to guide their actions. Every school is required to appoint a Title IX coordinator to help prevent discrimination at her or his school, but before now the coordinators had few resources to do their jobs. And many schools haven’t appointed a coordinator at all.
The Office for Civil Rights has provided schools and Title IX coordinators with resources they need to independently act and address complaints, just in time for school to start. But we need you to help spread the word.
Because one is too many. Take action.
10 Ways to Fight against Sexual Assault on Campus
Our campuses are in crisis. The chance of a woman being sexually assaulted during college is about the same as her chance of catching the flu during an average year — except she can’t just take Nyquil and rest in bed for a few days. Sexual assault has lasting effects on students.
If this statistic troubles you, know that you can take action. Here are 10 ways you can bring this fight to your campus.
1. Share resources and groups that help survivors.
The first step in helping survivors heal is to believe them. Research shows that only 2 percent of survivors disclose their sexual assault to the police.Once a survivor confides in you, connect her or him with national, community, or campus resources, like a counseling center, advocacy office, the police, or a public safety group. Remember your role is to help; if the survivor doesn’t want to seek outside assistance, don’t insist.
2. Know your rights.
Universities that receive federal funding must be in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. While Title IX is traditionally known for equity in athletics, it covers all realms of gender equity and prohibits sex-based discrimination in education, including discrimination against pregnant and parenting students and women in STEM programs, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. Get the facts on your rights under Title IX.Students and members can make a point to meet with their campus Title IX coordinators, who are in charge of overseeing all complaints of sex discrimination and making sure schools are compliant with Title IX. Take it one step further by delivering U.S. Department of Education resources in order for Title IX coordinators to know the full scope of their jobs. These resources are powerful tools that provide support, guidance, and training for Title IX coordinators and help them do their work better.
3. Check if your school complies with the Campus SaVE Act.
After years of hard work by advocates, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) is law. The updated VAWA campus safety provisions, sometimes called the Campus SaVE Act, went into effect July 1, 2015, requiring colleges and universities to take new steps to end sexual violence. The regulations for the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act are final and enforceable. Schools must follow them or risk investigation and action from the U.S. Department of Education.Schools are now completely on the hook to follow these new provisions. Have you ever checked your school’s annual security report, which explains its compliance? Consider searching “annual security report” on your school’s official website. The report should show up and have been updated on or by October 1. It should include new statistics about dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking and mention the steps the school is taking to comply with the new law. Send us an e-mail at advocacy@aauw.org to let us know what you find out. Checking up on institutions is a great way to implement this strong new law that you helped make a reality!
4. Write an op-ed.
Op-ed pieces can inform and influence readers and can bring considerable attention to this cause. Research campus sexual assault, and then write an op-ed for a school, local, or national newspaper or even a blog.5. Use social media.
Social media tools can help spread awareness and advocate for social change. Use hashtags to start or join in conversations on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram. (For example, use #SAAM, which stands for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, during the month of April.) On Facebook, post articles and share events to get your friends in the know.6. Start a conversation on victim-blaming and how to stop it.
Host an on-campus brown-bag to talk about how victim-blaming occurs and how can we prevent it.7. Hold a bystander intervention session.
Bystanders can help prevent or stop sexual violence on campus and in other communities. Connect with programs that teach bystanders how to intervene in situations that involve sexual violence.8. Get involved in national campaigns.
Here are a few of our favorite initiatives that you can take part in.It’s on Us — Pledge your commitment to help keep women and men safe from sexual assault. AAUW is proud to be a part of this growing movement, which reframes sexual assault in a way that inspires everyone to see it as their responsibility to do something, big or small, to prevent it.
NotAlone.gov – White House project that includes information for students, schools, and anyone interested in finding resources on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault.
The Clothesline Project — Have people affected by sexual violence decorate a shirt and hang it on a public clothesline as testimony to the problem of sexual violence.
V-Day — Hold a performance or a film screening to raise awareness about violence against women and girls.
White Ribbon Campaign — Wear a white ribbon, and make a personal pledge to “never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women and girls.”
Take Back the Night — Take part in this after-dark march that is popular on college campuses, and make a statement that women have the right to be in public at night without the risk of sexual violence.
International Day against Victim-Blaming — Use the hashtag #EndVictimBlaming on April 3, the online day of action to speak out against victim-blaming and to support survivors, and get involved through social media.
Denim Day in LA and USA — Wear jeans on April 23 to protest and raise awareness of the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. Order the Denim Day Tool Kit, and raise awareness in your workplace, neighborhood, or community.
9. Volunteer.
Help out at your local rape crisis center. If there isn’t a local or campus center near you, consider volunteering at the national level with RAINN’s online hotline.
10. Apply for funding.
On a rolling basis, AAUW branch members can apply for LAF Campus Outreach Grants and receive up to $750 to hold an event about sexual assault on a local campus. Some current and past AAUW fellowship and grant recipients have focused their work on sexual violence issues, and you can, too.What did we miss? Let us know what you are doing on your campus in the comments, or share your stories and pictures with coll-univ@aauw.org so that we can highlight the great work you are doing.
Your Guide to Awkward Family Conversations about Sexism
You’ve survived Thanksgiving, but you might not be past all the awkward family discussions yet to come. But don’t worry — we’ve got your back! Here’s your handy guide to responding to common misperceptions about gender and advocacy that might come up this season.
Your dad says, “We don’t even need Title IX anymore. Women get to play sports already. Plus, no one watches women’s sports anyway!”
First things first, let’s remind dear old dad that this summer’s Women’s World Cup final was the most-watched soccer game in U.S. history!
Title IX, which has been credited with helping develop the Women’s National Team itself, plays a critical role in ensuring equity in school athletics. But it’s about so much more than that! The crucial law prevents discrimination in all areas of education, including admissions; recruitment; access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields; campus sexual harassment and assault; tenure; and more.
Your cousin says, “The gender pay gap doesn’t exist. Women are paid less because they take lower-paying jobs and take time off. Duh!”
We wish the gender pay gap didn’t exist! But the reality is that the pay gap is all math, not myth. Altogether, women working full time, year round in the United States in 2014 were paid only 79 percent of what men were paid. But that’s not the whole story: Mothers and women of color make even less.
According to AAUW’s research, the pay gap occurs in nearly every occupation, including both low– and high-paying jobs. And it can’t be explained away by women’s choices. Our 2012 report found that women face a pay gap even after accounting for (are you ready for this?) college major, occupation, economic sector, hours worked, months unemployed since graduation, GPA, type of undergraduate institution, institution selectivity, age, geographical region, and marital status. Phew!
Your sister says, “I wouldn’t vote for a woman president. They’re too sensitive!”
Whether it’s commenting on women leaders’ looks or likability or questioning their abilities, sexism is common when discussing women political candidates. Language matters. Calling assertive girls “bossy” or confident women “bitchy” reinforces negative stereotypes and biases about women’s leadership. Women are qualified to run for office. And when they do run, they win at the same rates as men. It’s critical to challenge gender bias and empower young women to run for office!
Your aunt says, “Millennials are so lazy. All they do is play on their phones.”
Sorry, auntie, but research suggests otherwise! According to one study, young adults throughout the United States are volunteering at higher levels than ever before. Student activists, including AAUW student leaders, are consistently taking action to challenge the status quo and lead the fight for social justice. From serving as U.N. youth representatives to (successfully) fighting to establish campus sexual assault crisis centers, young people across the country are making a difference.
If some feminist wisdom doesn’t help, we have your back if you literally can’t even.
Sometimes, people just can’t be persuaded by the facts. In those moments, we recommend a strong dose of Adele.
Read the full blog.
16 Ways to Mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence!
“Violence against women is not acceptable. It is not inevitable. It can be prevented.” — Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director, U.N. Women
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign begins November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day, highlighting the indelible fact that violence against girls and women is a human rights violation. This year’s campaign theme, From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All, highlights the “relationship between militarism and the right to education in situations of violent conflict, in relative peace, and [a] variety of education settings.”
Parallel to the 16 Days campaign, the United Nations’ UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, led by U.N. Women, encourages “orange events” like concerts, flash mobs, and marathons featuring the color to take place around the world. These events will “symbolize a brighter future without violence” and launch the first-ever U.N. Framework on Preventing Violence against Women.
The U.N. 16 Days campaign invites participants to “orange the world” to raise awareness around gender-based violence. Image by UN Women, Flickr Creative Commons
But we’ve done some of the work for you. Here is a day-by-day guide to raising awareness about gender-based violence during and after the campaign!
Day 1: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Share the Violence against Women infographic to increase awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) as a global pandemic.
Day 2:
Swap your Facebook profile picture.
To kick off the campaign, all Facebook users can change their profile pictures to the 16 Days campaign logo for the duration of the campaign. Help spread the word and bring awareness to GBV and the right to safe, accessible education by changing your profile picture and inviting your Facebook friends to change theirs!
Download the campaign logo and upload it as your profile picture.
Day 3: Download and share the AAUW Ending Campus Sexual Assault Tool Kit.
Use these resources to raise awareness about campus sexual assault so that everyone can help make campuses safe for all students.
Day 4: Check out the international 16 Days campaign calendar.
Get inspired by what’s happening in your local area and globally. Visit often since activities and events are updated daily!
Day 5: Follow @16DaysCampaign on Twitter and join the conversation!
Keep reading and tweeting the AAUW blog for information on how violence affects education for women and girls, and spread the word on our International Fellowships for women around the globe.
9 in 10 Colleges Reported No Sexual Assaults in 2014
“What these zeros really tell us is that students don’t feel comfortable coming forward with formal reports at these schools,” says Lisa M. Maatz, vice president of government relations at AAUW.
It’s about time this made front page news.
Props to the washingtonpost for making campus sexual assault the cover of today’s newspaper.
According to a Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 20 percent of young women who attended college during the past four years say they were sexually assaulted, But the circle of victims on the nation’s campuses is probably even larger. In all, the poll found, 25 percent of young women and 7 percent of young men say they suffered unwanted sexual incidents in college.
READ MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/local/2015/06/12/1-in-5-women-say-they-were-violated/
Think colleges should be held accountable for sexual assault? We do. Tell your Rep. to support the HALT Act: bit.ly/HALTact
Live Blog: The Last Meeting for Making New Campus Sexual Assault Regulations, Day 6
What You Need to Know
After three months of hard work, negotiators agreed by consensus to a proposed rule to implement the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act (also known as Campus SaVE). This is a victory for improving campus safety – it takes these regulations to implement the new provisions in VAWA. The six sessions haven’t been without disagreement. If you’ve been following the liveblog you know that divisions were deep at times and that consensus seemed potentially out of reach. You can read about some of the compromises made by the group during the final sessions in the transcript below.
AAUW is gratified negotiators moved this rule forward – it will guide colleges and universities to provide prevention programming, clear policies, transparent disciplinary proceedings, and more comprehensive crime statistics. Students gain much from the implementation of the new law and these regulations – an advisor of their choice at disciplinary proceedings and more detail about how their school handles certain crimes, from reporting, to investigation, to disciplinary proceeding. In addition, the programming and awareness activities this law will spur have the potential to stem the tide of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus.
There will still be a public comment period on the rule and AAUW will be weighing in. We hope you will too!
Read the live blog below.
Live Blog: Making New Campus Sexual Assault Regulations, Day 5
What You Need to Know
Analysis: Today we kicked off the final two days of the negotiated rulemaking for the VAWA Amendments to the Clery Act, also called Campus SaVE, and are watching closely to see what rules colleges and universities will have to follow to implement the law. Overall, the tone was cordial and consensus seemed (possibly) attainable. But that doesn’t mean the day wasn’t without fireworks over draft language on reporting, compliance, and definitions.
The good:
- Most negotiators seemed to want to find compromise. No one played the “I can’t agree to consensus with this in there” card… yet.
- The group has found agreement around a definition of stalking that I think works for everyone. In the first sessions the negotiators talked about stalking a lot, so the agreement indicates good work by the committee. But we haven’t gotten to the section about counting stalking reports – which might raise some issues.
- Although negotiators failed to avoid the same conversation from the February session around dating violence – again highlighting that most negotiators do not agree on what is a dating relationship – there was actually loose agreement around a definition of the term this time.
The bad:
- There is a clear divide on some topics between a compliance-focused approach and a transparency-focused approach (doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive). Case in point: schools will be disclosing information about the sanctions they levy and the protective measures they use following disciplinary proceedings around dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Under the draft language, schools should list all sanctions and protective measures they use. Negotiators representing schools worried whether schools would be firmly held to that list and even, somewhat unbelievably, worried whether they would be punished for adding a sanction or protection not on the original list. The moment of levity on this came from the Department of Education, which pointed out that going above and beyond is not a problem. The Department said the goals here are to help students know what options they have and to find the schools who are bad actors. The compliance focus really has the group struggling to see the forest for the trees.
Still waiting on:
- Tomorrow negotiators will finish conversation around the term “advisor of their choice” and that the accuser and accused can bring one to proceedings. In addition, they’ll need to finish disciplinary proceedings, get to counting crimes, and approve all of the language changes proposed today. Ultimately, negotiators will be asked if they have achieved consensus on the draft language. You can learn more about what that means and where we go next, here: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/hea08/neg-reg-faq.html. As always, follow along with our live blog tomorrow.
Read the live blog below.
Live Blog: Making New Campus Sexual Assault Regulations, Day 4
What You Need to Know
Analysis: Today’s meeting of the negotiated rulemaking committee on the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act was a bit rocky – the negotiators covered some of the more detailed parts of the draft rule (prevention programs, training, disciplinary proceedings) and opinions in the room varied.
The main takeaways:
- Some negotiators worried that the language on prevention programs was too detailed and couldn’t be applied to all types of schools. After ironing out confusion about how the requirement would apply to all students and employees (it would need to be offered but attendance wouldn’t be mandatory) the group still left up in the air exactly where they wanted to see the language go. The Department of Education, for its part, indicated that their goal is to allow flexibility in delivery of the programs but to ensure the definitions and requirements everyone works off are consistent.
- The disciplinary proceedings conversation seemed to create a divide between institution representatives and students and survivors, but also revealed that many around the table work at schools who are good actors on this topic, which isn’t always the case. The main points discussed: disclosing the sanctions being applied to students by schools following disciplinary proceedings, the role of an advisor in proceedings, and the interaction between sharing results of proceedings and privacy laws.
- The negotiators also discussed how the rule should indicate that Title IX will interact with various on-campus activities such as: training, investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and accommodations, to name a few. The Department has been clear that nothing in this new law and the regulation will change Title IX, and they suggested language to reinforce that point. Some members of the group were not completely on board with that draft language.
I’ll leave you with the positive note the Department tried to end the day on: days 3 and 4 tend to be the hardest in a negotiated rulemaking since so many details are being worked out, but there’s reason to be optimistic the group can reach consensus. The negotiators were encouraged to talk over the next month and think of compromise ways to move forward. Likewise, those following along can reach out to negotiators if there are suggestions for ways to solve some of the problems vocalized.
We’ll be back on March 31 and April 1 for the final days of negotiation!
Catch up on Days 1, 2, and 3: You can read our summary analysis or review the entire transcript.
Read the live blog below.
Live Blog: Making New Campus Sexual Assault Regulations, Day 3
What You Need to Know
Analysis: Day 3 the of the negotiated rulemaking around the Violence Against Women Act amendments to the Clery Act (also known as Campus SaVE) proceeded a bit differently from the first two days – negotiators had a draft rule to work from, and consensus-building was clearly on their minds. If you’re just joining us and wondering what negotiated rulemaking is, you can learn more here: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/hea08/neg-reg-faq.html.
A few things came up:
- Getting the definition of stalking correct is tough. How it interacts with Clery Geography came up several times and finding a way to ensure stalking is captured accurately in statistics is still in flux. Generally no sides on this, though — everyone around the table wants to get it right.
- There was some hesitation about setting a definition of consent in this regulation, but that riff mostly stemmed from university counsel concerns. The Department of Education explained a desire to ensure statistics are consistent across schools.
- The statistic reporting tool (a chart) is complicated and there’s still confusion (and resistance) around expanding it. The new law asks that we learn about more crimes on campus, specifically domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking– but this is being called “double counting” by some negotiators.
- Finally, confusion lingers around reporting for Clery statistics purposes and confidentiality. The Department of Education made clear, however, that there’s a lot of room to improve the draft or provide additional info in a regulation preamble.
We will be back at 9 a.m. tomorrow for day four!
Follow the day four live blog »
Catch up on Days 1 and 2: You can read our summary analysis or review the entire transcript.
Read the live blog below.