Sexual Harassment & Abuse

Read more about how schools respond to unwelcome sexual comments, gestures, or actions
AI Education concept in blue: A robot hand holding a pencil.
iStock/Getty
Law & Courts What a Proposed Ban on AI-Assisted ‘Deep Fakes’ Would Mean for Cyberbullying
Students who create AI-generated, intimate images of their classmates would be breaking federal law, if a new bill is enacted.
Alyson Klein, January 12, 2024
2 min read
People hold signs during a protest at the state house in Trenton, N.J., Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. New Jersey lawmakers are set to vote Monday on legislation to eliminate most religious exemptions for vaccines for schoolchildren, as opponents crowd the statehouse grounds with flags and banners, including some reading "My Child, My Choice."
People hold signs during a protest at the state house in Trenton, N.J., on Jan. 13, 2020, opposing legislation to eliminate most religious exemptions for vaccines for schoolchildren. In North Carolina, a bill passed to protect parents' rights in schools caused uncertainty that led two districts to pause a child sex abuse prevention program out of fear it would violate the new law.
Seth Wenig/AP
States How a Parents' Rights Law Halted a Child Abuse Prevention Program
State laws that have passed as part of the parents' rights movement have caused confusion and uncertainty over what schools can teach.
Libby Stanford & Caitlynn Peetz, December 21, 2023
7 min read
Illustration of hands holding a broken heart that is being held together by a bandaid
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Educating Teens About Healthy Relationships: 3 Best Practices
Teens often don't even recognize when they're in an abusive relationship.
Caitlynn Peetz, May 12, 2023
4 min read
Close crop of two teens from the chest down, sitting on a wall holding hands
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Interactive Map: Does Your State Require Education on Teen Dating Violence?
School is a logical place for students to learn about healthy relationships, but state requirements for that kind of education vary widely.
Caitlynn Peetz & Laura Baker, May 11, 2023
1 min read
High school couple holding hands from behind and walking down an empty school corridor
E+/Getty
Student Well-Being Teen Dating Violence Has Lifelong Consequences. Here's How Schools Can Help
Schools are uniquely poised to help students understand healthy relationship behavior and the signs of abuse.
Caitlynn Peetz, May 9, 2023
5 min read
Photo illustration of gavel falling in front of a cascade of money.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty Images
Budget & Finance More Districts Are Paying Big to Resolve Sexual Misconduct Claims
A new report says schools and colleges had to pay out 69 damage awards and settlements of $1 million or more last year.
Caitlynn Peetz, February 7, 2023
5 min read
Image of safety cones and red flags.
Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week via Getty
School Climate & Safety How a Virginia District ‘Failed at Every Juncture’ to Prevent Sexual Assault
The grand jury’s devastating report is a must-read for district superintendents on how systems fall apart.
Caitlynn Peetz, December 9, 2022
6 min read
Thunder storm sky over the United States Supreme Court building in Washington DC.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Law & Courts Supreme Court Won't Take Up Cases Seen as Expanding Schools' Liability for Sexual Harassment
The court rejected appeals from a school district and university about when educational institutions may be sued for sexual harassment.
Mark Walsh, November 21, 2022
4 min read
Icons showing expressions with a hand choosing the smiley face.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Equity & Diversity Proposed Federal Rules on Title IX Draw Flood of Public Comments
The Education Department received more than 200,000 comments on proposed changes to Title IX sex discrimination regulations.
Libby Stanford, September 13, 2022
5 min read
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, discusses his proposed measure to provide legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., March 17, 2022. Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are following California’s lead in seeking to offer legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families. The coordinated effort being announced Tuesday, May 3, by the LGBTQ Victory Institute and other advocates comes in response to recent actions taken in conservative states.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, discusses his proposed measure to provide legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., March 17, 2022. Democratic lawmakers in more than a dozen states are following California’s lead in seeking to offer legal refuge to displaced transgender youth and their families. The coordinated effort being announced Tuesday, May 3, by the LGBTQ Victory Institute and other advocates comes in response to recent actions taken in conservative states.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
Equity & Diversity Opinion How to Challenge Normative Gender Culture to Support All Students
Teachers can play key roles in helping support LGBTQ and other students facing gender discrimination.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 11, 2022
1 min read
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks at a White House event in April.
Susan Walsh/AP
Equity & Diversity Proposed Title IX Overhaul: Key Questions on What's Next
The U.S. Department of Education's proposed rules covering sex discrimination in education enter the public comment process.
Libby Stanford, June 24, 2022
6 min read
People wave pride flags and hold signs during a rally in support of LGBTQ students at Ridgeline High School, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Millville, Utah. Students and school district officials in Utah are outraged after a high school student ripped down a pride flag to the cheers of other students during diversity week. A rally was held the following day in response to show support for the LGBTQ community.
People wave pride flags and hold signs during a 2021 rally in support of LGBTQ students at Ridgeline High School in Millville, Utah.
Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP
Equity & Diversity LGBTQ Students Would Get Explicit Protection Under Title IX Proposals
But the U.S. Department of Education did not include transgender participation in sports in the latest version of revised Title IX regulations.
Libby Stanford, June 23, 2022
6 min read
Image of a gavel
iStock/Getty
Law & Courts How Liable Are School Districts for Student-on-Student Sexual Harassment?
The outcome of two federal lawsuits brought against the Nashville school district may answer that.
Mark Walsh, May 20, 2022
4 min read
Chalk illustration of speech bubble with angry and aggressive symbols.
altmodern/Getty
Student Well-Being Why Misusing 'Groomer' as a Political Smear Is Especially Dangerous
The term, used in connection with child sexual abuse, is being intentionally misappropriated in fights over teaching and curriculum.
Evie Blad, April 26, 2022
4 min read