Title IX Defense in North Carolina
Serving students & Faculty nationwideTitle IX is an essential federal civil rights law that protects people from gender or sexual discrimination. It applies to any academic institution or educational program that receives federal funding. It sets standards for how academic institutions must handle allegations of sex discrimination and sexual violence on campus.
One of the most common forums for Title IX cases is colleges and universities. Students or faculty members may be accused of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or other behavior prohibited under Title IX jurisprudence.
If you are accused of violating Title IX, the potential repercussions on your future can be serious and long-lasting. Title IX allegations can cause problems with your academic standing, reputation, and professional future. These severe consequences require a prompt and focused legal strategy. An experienced Title IX defense attorney from KJK Student & Athlete Defense can review your case during a confidential consultation. Call us today to schedule yours.
What Is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law, part of the Education Amendments of 1972, that prohibits sex and gender discrimination in any educational entity receiving federal funding. The law was initially passed to aid in college admissions, allowing women applicants to be accepted more equally to colleges and programs more traditionally reserved for men. It also helped ensure that women athletes would receive similar funding as men athletes.
Today, Title IX is the law that students, school employees, and others assert when they make claims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct that occur on college campuses. Title IX cases follow an administrative process in determining whether the accused has violated Title IX and what the penalties should be if there is a finding of responsibility.
Contact Us
Where Does Title IX Apply?
Because Title IX applies to any institution or educational program that receives federal funding, it applies to virtually every educational institution throughout the country and in North Carolina, including:
- Public elementary and high schools
- Private elementary and high schools that receive federal funding
- Public and private middle schools
- Colleges and universities
- Trade colleges and career institutes
- Libraries
- Vocational rehabilitation programs
- Educational programs
- Athletic programs
Much of the publicity surrounding Title IX focuses on college athletics. You may have heard of school sports programs or many states not accepting new interpretations of Title IX that provide protections to trans students and athletes. Title IX applies to discrimination on the basis of sex in any aspect of education, including course offerings, acceptance decisions, sports programs, student health services, counseling services, financial aid, and employment.
What Must Schools Do in Response to Title IX Allegations?
Schools must take prompt action when they receive a report of a Title IX allegation. If they don’t, they risk losing crucial federal funding that they depend on to sustain their institution. These educational institutions want to avoid becoming implicated in a Title IX case themselves, so they often respond quickly and decisively to prevent this possibility. Schools must take the following actions:
- Establish a Title IX policy that governs how these proceedings are handled
- Appoint a Title IX coordinator who handles the Title IX process
- Create a process for students to submit Title IX complaints
- Respond promptly and effectively after receiving notice of an alleged Title IX violation
- Conduct investigations into Title IX allegations even if the alleged victim does not request such action
- Enact disciplinary measures even if law enforcement has already commenced a criminal investigation into Title IX
- Stop Title IX violations and prevent similar future violations
As a result of these requirements, students and other parties can be disciplined by the school even if formal criminal charges are not filed.
Common Examples of Title IX Violations in North Carolina
Title IX can encompass a wide variety of conduct. A person can be accused of violating Title IX based on:
Sexual Discrimination
Sexual discrimination occurs when someone is discriminated against based on their biological sex or their perceived gender identity, such as not being admitted to a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program due to being a woman.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, such as:
- Quid pro quo harassment, in which more favorable treatment is returned for sexual favors
- Requests for sexual favors
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Jokes or comments of a sexual nature
- Inappropriate touching
- Sexual communications via online activity
A claim can be based on sexual harassment when it rises to the level that it creates a hostile environment due to conduct that is so severe or pervasive that it interferes with the accuser’s job or education.
Sexual Violence
Rape, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual misconduct fall under Title IX. This includes any type of forcible sexual contact unwanted by the other person and done without their consent, including in cases in which the other party is incapacitated due to alcohol, drugs, or unconsciousness.
In addition to any criminal charges that might be filed against you, you can also be subject to disciplinary actions from your school. Frequently, schools rush to judgment in these types of cases without considering the reasons why the alleged victim may fabricate or exaggerate claims of misconduct. This is why it’s crucial to work with a skilled Title IX defense lawyer who can defend your rights.
Nonconsensual Sexual Conduct
Title IX can even penalize students, faculty members, and other individuals for conduct that would not be considered criminal. For example, many institutions have “affirmative consent” policies where it’s not enough for the other participant not to say no, but that they must say yes with their words or actions. This standard continues to apply as the sexual encounter increases in intensity, requiring the other partner to get an affirmative response before proceeding.
Dating Violence
Title IX can also encompass forms of domestic violence and interpersonal violence between people in a dating or intimate relationship, such as:
- Physical abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Threats
- Coercion or intimidation within a relationship
Individuals facing Title IX allegations can also face significant consequences stemming from interim supportive measures designed to protect the alleged victim, including no-contact orders, removal from student housing, or the requirement to switch classes or shifts at a job.
Stalking
Title IX also prohibits stalking behaviors, including:
- Repeated and unwanted following or monitoring
- Frequent unwanted contact, including from phone calls, email exchanges, or interactions on social media
- Surveillance
- Intimidation tactics
Just like with other types of Title IX accusations, schools must investigate all complaints of stalking, even when the alleged misconduct occurred off campus or the partners are no longer involved in a romantic relationship.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Title IX does not only involve allegations of a sexual nature. It can involve negative conduct based on a person’s biological sex, including their pregnancy, nursing, or parenting status. Examples of prohibited conduct that fall under this form of misconduct include the following:
- Denying a student access to classes or activities because of pregnancy
- Pressuring a pregnant student or student parent to drop out due to these situations
- Forcing a school employee to take leave because they are pregnant or have just had a child
- Terminating a school employee due to their pregnancy
- Not providing a suitable place for nursing parents to nurse or express milk
- Refusing reasonable accommodations, such as additional absences or restroom breaks, due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions
Retaliation
Even if a Title IX case is ultimately determined to be unfounded, a student could have a separate claim for retaliation if they faced adverse effects for reporting the alleged violation, participating in an investigation, or supporting someone involved in the Title IX process.
Examples of retaliation for Title IX include:
- Changing a student’s grades unfairly
- Terminating an employee
- Verbally harassing the complainant
- Excluding a student from group projects
- Threatening other adverse effects, including loss of status or disciplinary action
People Who Could Be Accused of Violating Title IX
Various parties could potentially be investigated for violating Title IX, including the following:
- Undergraduate students
- Graduate students
- Faculty members
- School employers
- Administrators
- Principals and vice principals
- Student athletes
- Researchers and scientists
- Resident advisors
- Vendors
- Academic staff
- High school students
- Middle school students
- Elementary students
Most often, the accuser’s peers are the ones to lodge complaints. This means that many accused individuals may be young student defendants who are not familiar with the legal process involved in a Title IX proceeding.
Colleges and Universities Throughout North Carolina
North Carolina has a variety of four-year colleges and universities, including the following:
- Appalachian State University
- Barber-Scotia College
- Barton College
- Belmont Abbey College
- Bennett College
- Brevard College
- Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
- Campbell University
- Carolina Christian College
- Carolina College of Biblical Studies
- Carolina University
- Carolinas College of Health Sciences
- Catawba College
- Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
- Chowan University
- Davidson College
- Duke University
- East Carolina University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Elon University
- Fayetteville State University
- Gardner-Webb University
- Greensboro College
- Guilford College
- Heritage Bible College
- High Point University
- Hood Theological Seminary S
- Johnson & Wales University – Charlotte
- Johnson C. Smith University
- Lees-McRae College
- Lenoir–Rhyne University
- Livingstone College
- Manna University
- Mars Hill University
- Meredith College
- Mid-Atlantic Christian University
- Montreat College
- North Carolina A&T State University – Greensboro
- North Carolina Central University
- North Carolina State University
- North Carolina Wesleyan University
- Pfeiffer University
- Queens University of Charlotte
- Saint Augustine’s University
- Salem College
- Shaw University
- Southeastern Free Will Baptist College
- University of Mount Olive
- University of North Carolina at Asheville
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington
- Wake Forest University
- Warren Wilson College
- Western Carolina University
- William Peace University
- Wingate University
- Winston-Salem State University
The state also has dozens of two-year institutions or community colleges, including the following:
- Alamance Community College
- Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College
- Beaufort County Community College
- Bladen Community College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Brunswick Community College
- Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
- Cape Fear Community College
- Carteret Community College
- Catawba Valley Community College
- Central Carolina Community College
- Central Piedmont Community College
- Cleveland Community College
- College of the Albemarle
- Coastal Carolina Community College
- Craven Community College
- Davidson County Community College
- Durham Technical Community College
- Edgecombe Community College
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Forsyth Technical Community College
- Gaston College
- Guilford Technical Community College
- Halifax Community College
- Haywood Community College
- Isothermal Community College
- James Sprunt Community College
- Johnston Community College
- Lenoir Community College
- Louisburg College
- Martin Community College
- Mayland Community College
- McDowell Technical Community College
- Mitchell Community College
- Montgomery Community College
- Nash Community College
- Pamlico Community College
- Piedmont Community College
- Pitt Community College
- Randolph Community College
- Richmond Community College
- Roanoke–Chowan Community College
- Robeson Community College
- Rockingham Community College
- Rowan–Cabarrus Community College
- Sandhills Community College
- Sampson Community College
- South Piedmont Community College
- Southeastern Community College
- Southwestern Community College
- Stanly Community College
- Surry Community College
- Tri-County Community College
- Vance–Granville Community College
- Wake Technical Community College
- Wayne Community College
- Western Piedmont Community College
- Wilkes Community College
- Wilson Community College
How Our Attorney Advocates Can Help If You or Your Child Is Facing Title IX Allegations
When you hire our dedicated law firm, we can help by:
- Reviewing the nature of the charges against you
- Explaining your legal and due process rights during the Title IX investigation
- Conducting a thorough evidence review gathered during the formal investigation
- Conducting our own evidence gathering to prove your innocence or that the complainant had ulterior motives
- Challenging any investigation procedures that violate your rights
- Exploring all resolution options, including seeking an early dismissal or mediation
- Preparing you for any campus disciplinary hearings
- Representing you at any disciplinary hearing you are subject to
- Explaining your legal arguments to the disciplinary panel
- Appealing adverse decisions if you have valid legal grounds
Contact Us Today for a Confidential Consultation
If you or your child is facing a Title IX violation, you must seek skilled legal representation. KJK Student & Athlete Defense provides full legal services to those facing Title IX violations, including related criminal proceedings, civil lawsuits, and reputation management services.
Our firm is one of the few throughout the country that focuses exclusively on education law. Our co-chair and partner, Kristina Supler, was named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year in the Education category for 2026. This distinction, awarded to only one attorney in each category and location annually, is based on the highest peer reviews received. We have defended more than 2,000 clients and worked with over 200 colleges and universities. We have the skills and experience to provide you with the capable legal representation you need during this difficult time.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation to learn more about how we can help.
Peer Advice
A Client’s Tips For Facing A Title IX Investigation
I OFFER THE FOLLOWING TIPS
For students who may be involved in a Title IX or related matter, I offer the following tips. First, I recommend that you call a Title IX lawyer before you make any other move. Following that step, one should consider staying away from public statements on the matter. I also recommend that this public silence be countered with engagement in therapy and frequent self-care. Similarly, reach out to the appropriate contact at your school to coordinate supportive measures so that you may continue with your academics. Establishing a list of hobbies and rituals to ground myself was incredibly helpful throughout the ups and downs of the case.
See What Our CLients are Saying about our title ix attorneys
Testimonials
We will be forever grateful to you for engaging with us to assist our son...
Kristina and Susan are very competent ...
Susan Stone and Kristina Supler represented our male college freshman...
against a false Title IX claim of non-consensual sexual intercourse. Current Title IX laws are strongly slanted in the accuser’s favor, and our son was denied due process by the university. This legal team expertly highlighted the accuser’s false accusations, while exposing the university’s many inconsistencies. They were there when we needed them – quick to take our phone calls or respond to our questions and concerns. Without their expert legal advice, our son would have likely been another silent and unfortunate victim of current Title IX university policies. We give Susan and Kristina the highest of recommendations!
I was a member of a fraternity at a public university...
that was kicked off campus for reported hazing. My involvement with the fraternity was unaware of any misdeeds being done, and was shocked when the school charged me with failure to report hazing. That’s when I contacted Susan and Kristina, who were extremely helpful and wonderful to work with. Thanks to them they helped guide me through collecting proof of my innocence, which ended up leading to the result we wanted of no charges against me. I highly recommend their service to anyone who might need it!
You are the utmost professional counselor...
Services
K-12 Student DefenseKJK’s Student & Athlete Defense practice group is here to protect your child’s future. Defending students of all ages, our team is here to make sure your family is given fair treatment when it comes to disciplinary actions issued by your school district.
Title IX
Blog
Student Rights in a Post-Department of Education Era: What Families Should Expect Moving Forward
We save futures – and despite the uncertainty associated with President Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education – our commitments remain the same. The better question, however, is how attorneys who represent students will ensure that students...
Ohio’s Suspension and Expulsion Laws: What Every Parent Needs to Know
As a parent, your child’s education is one of your top priorities. However, navigating the complexities of school discipline can be daunting, especially when considering potential suspension and expulsion. Understanding the procedural protections to which your...
Understanding Title IX Penalties: What You Need to Know
Understanding Title IX Penalties What are Title IX penalties? Students found responsible for Title IX violations face a wide array of penalties, ranging in severity depending upon the nature of the sexual misconduct. Because sanctions for Title IX violations can...
