If you - or someone that you know - have experienced school-based bullying, harassment, or discrimination, please file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Education Department today.
There are a few important things to know about filing a complaint:
You are entitled to file a claim. Nearly every public school receives some level of federal funding and is therefore protected under Title IX, which entitles you to file a bullying, harassment, or discrimination claim with OCR.
Time is of the essence. A complaint must be filed within 180 days of when the discrimination or bullying and harassment occurred.
Your confidentiality is assured. Every claim remains confidential and will not be shared without permission.
A third party may file a claim on behalf of another. In other words, the person making the complaint doesn’t have to be the one who experienced the bullying, harassment, or discrimination. A friend, family member or school faculty can file the complaint.
It’s safe. The school cannot retaliate against anyone who has made a complaint, or testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation or proceeding under Title IX.
You must complete the entire form in order for the report to be counted. Make sure to fill out the entire form. Incomplete information will result in a dismissal of your complaint.
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