Tag Archives: sexual violence

Philip Gordon and Elizabeth Rodgers continue their focus on Title IX sexual assault claims

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Title IX requires colleges and universities who receive federal money to stop sexual harassment or violence on their campuses. Under this law, colleges and universities must have policies and procedures in place for students to make complaints and for the institution to address those complaints. The school must thoroughly investigate the complaint, and then inform those students of the outcome. And, students, administrators, teachers and coaches MUST be free from retaliation for making or supporting those complaints.

Philip Gordon of the Gordon Law Group, along with Elizabeth Rodgers of Rodgers, Powers & Schwartz are among the leading attorneys representing individuals who have suffered retaliation for making complaints or insisting that their university comply with Title IX’s requirements. While there remain many facets to Title IX, they focus specifically in sexual assault, sexual harassment and retaliation claims against colleges and universities.

Most recently, one of their clients, Dr. Kimberly Theidon filed a complaint against Harvard University for, among other things, denying her tenure in retaliation for supporting students complaining of Harvard’s failures to support victims of sexual assaults and gender violence on campus. [HuffPost Article] Dr. Theidon acted as an unofficial confidante for victims of sexual assault, and an advocate for Title IX compliance, and her career was ultimately penalized for her show of support.

If you are suffering from sexual violence, harassment or retaliation on campus, Title IX may protect you.

For more information on Title IX and how we might help you, contact us.

This information is not a do-it-yourself guide to resolving employment disputes or handling employment litigation. While some may find this useful for understanding the basic issues and their legal context, it is NOT a substitute for experienced legal counsel and does not provide legal advice.  Please contact the team at Gordon Law Group to discuss your specific case.

Your school’s role in addressing sexual violence under Title IX

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Colleges and universities rightly face increasing scrutiny about how they respond to victims of sexual assault. Under pressure from campaigners, victims and advocates, the White House has led a charge to combat what can be described as the systematic failings of college and university administrators.  The Department of Education has released a list of over 50 colleges and universities nationwide now under review for their mishandling of sexual assault. Senator Claire McCaskill (Mo) recently issued a comprehensive survey that detailed some shocking statistics and was complete with the subtitle “How too many institutions of higher education are failing to protect students” (you can read our blog on the report here). The White House also initiated a task force to look at sexual assault and launched a new informational website, www.NotAlone.gov.

So, what are a school’s responsibilities? If a student reports an incident of sexual violence to the school, the school must respond promptly and effectively and take the reasonable steps to resolve the situation. A criminal investigation does not relieve the school from its duties under Title IX. During the investigation, they must ensure the safety of the student.

However, many schools have been found unable to provide the proper resources or lack qualified individuals to deal with the report of sexual violence. As detailed in Senator McCaskill’s report, most school systems are insufficient and fail to effectively support victims. Even the presence of a trained Title IX coordinator is often detrimental, as they have been found culpable of protecting the school rather than the victim.

Many schools inadequately deal with reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment. If you are a victim of sexual assault, or know a victim, and you feel your school has failed to help or you just want to know what you should expect, please contact us today.

Boston Globe interviews Dr. Theidon of Harvard University

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One of Gordon Law Group’s and Rodgers, Powers and Schwartz’s clients, Harvard professor Dr. Kimberly Theidon, was featured in The Boston Globe this morning. The piece is the latest in a slew of articles and interviews about the Professor, who was denied tenure last spring. Theidon will now take a tenured faculty position at Tufts University.

Dr. Theidon has brought Title IX claims against Harvard University, stating that she believes the university discriminated against her because of her gender and for openly supporting victims of sexual assault on campus.

You can read the full article here.

You can also read and watch Philip Gordon and Dr. Theidon’s interviews with the Huffington Post, MSNBC and ABC-Boston.

If you would like to learn more about Title IX, check out our Title IX page, our FAQ page or contact us today.

Philip Gordon and Elizabeth Rodgers interviewed by Huffington Post about Harvard University professor’s denied tenure

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Philip Gordon, together with Elizabeth Rodgers of Rodgers, Powers & Schwartz LLP, is leading part of the Title IX effort against Harvard University. They represent Dr. Kimberly Theidon, an accomplished anthropology professor at Harvard University who has seemingly been denied tenure for supporting students who were victims of sexual assault and critical of Harvard’s approach to their cases.  Click here to read an interview with Theidon, Gordon and Rodgers.

Colleges and universities across the country are facing ever-increasing scrutiny as to how they deal with instances of sexual assault on campus, including Harvard University where students have filed a separate Title IX complaint to the U.S. Department of Education. Title IX protects students against sexual harassment and sexual violence because it denies the student the right to an education free from discrimination. There has been a wave of exposure in the media, including coverage of Theidon’s case which you can read here. You can also read the Huffington Post’s coverage of Harvard’s students’ complaint by clicking here.