Can I Sue My Own University For Sexual Harassment In Michigan?

At school, most students focus on studying, doing well, and preparing for their future. It’s one of the last places you should have to think about sexual harassment. Unfortunately, this is a sad reality in an imperfect society. According to some stats, up to 13% of students at universities in the US have experienced sexual misconduct in some form or the other. 

It’s common for victims to feel afraid or embarrassed, and perhaps these victims may be reluctant to pursue legal action. In reality, they do have the power to get justice and hold their aggressors accountable for their actions. Whether you’re a student or a teacher, you should get in touch with an experienced Michigan sexual harassment lawyer today if you’ve experienced sexual harassment within an educational institution in Michigan.

Even if you’re not exactly sure if what you’ve been through is a crime, a qualified lawyer can tell you whether or not you have a case. If so, they can get you on the road to compensation. 

What are the laws on sexual harassment? 

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects everyone in the country from sexual harassment. Under Title VII, sexual harassment is a form of considered gender-based discrimination. It applies to all public and private companies with 15 or more employees. 

Most states have their own state-level laws that also prohibit sexual harassment. Michigan has the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits Michigan employers from discriminating on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment. 

On top of those laws, the Education Amendments of 1972 has ostensibly the same statutes but specifically applies to all publicly funded educational institutions. In particular, Title IX is the applicable component that can be invoked for most cases of sexual harassment within colleges and universities. 

The recent lawsuit at Eastern Michigan University

Eleven women have accused the board at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti of failing to protect its students from sexual harassment following the arrest of 4 students for misconduct against 4 girls. This could be referred to as a “Title IX lawsuit,” whereby the defendants are accused of failing to abide by the Education Amendments of 1972. 

One of the main points brought up in the suit is that the school’s Title IX coordinator told the victims that  “it’s not even worth reporting” her assault, and that an EMU police officer told a student that “nothing would happen” with prosecution because she was late in reporting her assault. 

The attorneys are seeking a judgment of up to $75,000. 

Do you need help with a sexual harassment lawsuit against a university in Michigan? 

It’s crucial to have an experienced Michigan sexual harassment lawyer on your side to help stand up for you. These lawyers can maximize your compensation amount. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one right away.