April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the feds are issuing comprehensive guidance to help schools nationwide better understand their obligations under federal civil rights laws to prevent and respond to the problem of campus sexual assault.

The new guidance makes clear the legal obligations under Title IX of any school, college or university receiving federal funds to respond promptly and effectively to sexual violence. The guidance also provides practical examples to aid educators in ensuring the safety of their students.

Title IX is the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. Discrimination can include sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery and sexual coercion. As reported in the May issue of School Transportation News, legal experts warn that bullying is an often-used term used by schools to improperly describe these types of discrimination or harassment that can lead to a civil rights violation claim in federal court.

The federal guidance on the responsibilities of schools under Title IX include to protect students from sexual violence also details enforcement strategies that schools and the Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) may use to end sexual violence, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

"Schools must provide an environment where all students have an equal opportunity to learn," said Russlyn Ali, the assistant secretary for civil rights. "Schools are often in the best position to prevent sexual violence and to respond to it promptly and effectively if it occurs. OCR is already working with schools to help them in their fight against the harmful effects of sexual violence by providing technical assistance and seeking remedies designed to stop such conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remediate its impact."