Whereas, Research shows that up to forty percent (40%) of middle and high school students report being victims or sexual violence or sexual harassment, with vast underreporting of these statistics also identified; and

Whereas, Twenty percent (20%) or more of college-age students report being victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence; and

Whereas, Research further indicates that educational institutions are the most common location of peer sexual victimization; and

Whereas, Sexual violence or sexual harassment have devastating effects on students by negatively impacting their emotional and physical well-being, and can become a barrier to equal and free access to public education; and

Whereas, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681et seq., prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including sexual harassment or sexual violence) in any federally-funded education program or activity without, however, requiring prevention strategies or support services for victims; and

Whereas, Oversight and implementation of Title IX within federally-funded education institutions is the responsibility of the U. S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and, to this end, OCR has drafted guidance that urges schools to “take immediate action”: to eliminate sexual harassment or sexual violence, to “prevent its recurrence, and [to] address its effects;” Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations urge and support the strengthening of Title IX and other federal, state and local laws that identify, address the effects of, and prohibit sexual harassment and sexual violence impacting students; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations urge and support compliance by recipients of federal funds with the provisions of Title IX; and be it further

Resolved, That  National  PTA  and  its  constituent  associations  collaborate  with  school administrations, institutions of higher learning, and community partners to ensure that every school: 

• Provides support services for victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence, and
• Presents awareness and prevention programs that address sexual harassment and sexual violence affecting students, and 
• Includes training on the responsibilities of educational institutions, as well as the rights of sexual violence and sexual harassment victims under Title IX and other laws and regulations.