General FAQs about Title IX FAQs

Under Title IX, related federal and state laws, and University policy, you have the right to equal educational opportunities regardless of your sex, sexual orientation, identity or expression. 

The following is only a brief summary of your rights. If you want to explore your rights in greater detail, the University encourages you to contact an employee you feel comfortable talking to.

• You have the right to access confidential campus resources. While some victims are ready to file a formal (or even public) complaint against an alleged offender right away, others may want time and privacy to sort through their next steps. Thus, confidential resources are in place to provide victims with assistance while deciding how best to proceed.
• You have the right to report an incident to the University of Hawaiʻi, where the University will investigate what happened, and resolve your complaint promptly and equitably.
• You have the right to report an incident to local law enforcement. A criminal investigation is separate and distinct from the University’s institutional response. Reports made to the University regarding prohibited behavior will not necessarily trigger a report to law enforcement. Should you wish to report allegations to law enforcement or initiate civil proceedings, you may do so at any time, and the University will not interfere with any such processes.

For some, having a confidential place to go to determine their rights and next steps can mean the difference between getting help and staying silent. Please note that only some UH employees can promise confidentiality.

If you want confidentiality, there are places available for confidential advice and support. Even if you first request confidentiality, you retain the right to decide to file a complaint with the University or report the incident to local law enforcement.

All other University personnel and programs will uphold the privacy of all parties to the extent practicable, but once the University has notice of alleged prohibited behavior, the Title IX Coordinator and other “need-to-know” University employees are obligated to take appropriate action.

Remember that different employees on campus have different abilities to maintain your confidentiality. Before revealing any information, please make sure you understand the reporting obligations of the person you are speaking to.

If you need immediate assistance or are in immediate danger, please call 911.

The University encourages victims of sex discrimination and sex-based violence to talk to somebody about what happened. This ensures that victims get the support they need and that the University may respond appropriately. While some victims are ready to file a formal complaint against an alleged offender, others may want time and privacy to sort through their next steps. If you would like to safety plan or sort through your options without filing a formal complaint, please contact any of our on-campus confidential advocates or an on-campus mental health professional.

If you would like to safety plan with an off-campus advocate, please contact a community advocate in your area.

If you are ready to file a formal complaint, contact your campus Title IX Coordinator or Campus Security.

If you have been the victim of an assault, we encourage you to seek medical attention, even if you do not have any visible injuries. Note that all medical support options — on- and off-campus — are confidential and do not put the University on notice.

Title IX is a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. Title IX is not just about sports; it is a prohibition against sex-based discrimination in all educational or school-sponsored programs.

Title IX does not apply to female students only. Title IX protects any person from sex-based discrimination, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, identity, or expression. All students, faculty, and staff are protected from any sex-based discrimination, harassment or violence.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has interpreted “sex discrimination” to include sexual harassment, sex-based discrimination, and sexual violence. Thus, Title IX covers discrimination against pregnant and parenting students; discrimination against women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs; attempted or completed rape or sexual assault; voyeurism; exhibitionism; verbal, physical, or cyber bullying based on sexual orientation or sex (actual or perceived); and more.

For more information, please visit:
http://knowyourix.org/title-ix/title-ix-the-basics/

For a Q&A on Title IX and sexual violence, please visit:
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/qa-201404-title-ix.pdf