Complainant Protection from Harassment and Bullying

At Saland Law, we understand that coming forward with a Title IX complaint takes immense courage. When you report sexual assault, dating violence, or non-consensual sexual contact within a school or university setting, you should not have to fear harassment, bullying, or retaliation as a result. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 provides strong protections for complainants, including specific measures aimed at preventing further harm after a report has been made. Unfortunately, in practice, institutions may fail to adequately enforce these protections, and complainants can find themselves subject to retaliation, ostracism, and threats.

Jeremy Saland, a former prosecutor and the founder of Saland Law, brings invaluable experience to guiding complainants through the Title IX process. Our firm not only helps ensure that your rights are protected under federal law but also advocates for proactive steps to shield you from harm throughout the Title IX investigation and resolution process. Although headquartered in New York City, we represent clients in Title IX matters at colleges, universities, and secondary schools across the United States.

If you are a complainant experiencing harassment, intimidation, or bullying after making a Title IX report, you are not alone and you have legal rights that can be enforced.

Title IX Protections Against Harassment and Retaliation

A central component of Title IX compliance is the requirement that schools protect complainants from being subjected to further mistreatment after reporting a violation. Harassment and bullying, whether direct or indirect, are forms of sex-based discrimination when they interfere with your access to education or create a hostile environment. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s regulations, institutions must:

• Take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate what occurred
• Provide remedies to the complainant
• Prevent the recurrence of harassment or sexual misconduct
• Protect complainants from retaliation and ongoing abuse

As defined in the 2020 Title IX Final Rule, this includes any adverse action taken against a person because they made a complaint, participated in an investigation, or opposed conduct they reasonably believed to violate Title IX. These acts may come from the respondent, school officials, or even third parties such as classmates, faculty, or athletic team members.

It is important to understand that schools are legally obligated to prevent and address this kind of harassing behavior. Failure to do so may itself constitute a violation of Title IX.

Common Forms of Harassment and Bullying After a Complaint

After filing a Title IX complaint, you may face subtle or overt harassment and/or bullying. This can manifest in many different forms, and even behavior that may not seem overtly threatening can rise to the level of actionable misconduct if it affects your education or sense of safety. Examples of harassment and bullying include:

• Threats or intimidation by the respondent or their friends
• Gossip, rumors, or character assassination on social media
• Exclusion from school activities, clubs, or teams
• Professors or coaches treating you differently or unfairly
• Peer isolation or pressure to withdraw the complaint
• Derogatory comments or messages
• Cyberbullying and doxing

Such behavior can make your educational environment unbearable. It may also deter others from coming forward. The law is clear: Title IX not only prohibits initial acts of sexual misconduct but also protects you from this secondary wave of harm.

Interim Measures to Prevent Harm

Title IX mandates that institutions implement supportive measures, formerly known as interim measures, to help preserve equal access to educational programs and protect complainants from bullying or harassment. These supportive measures are available whether or not a formal complaint is filed.

Supportive measures may include:

• Academic accommodations such as schedule changes or extensions
• Housing modifications or dormitory reassignment
• Counseling or mental health services
• No-contact directives between you and the respondent
• Campus escort services or changes in transportation
• Adjustments to extracurricular activities or team participation

At Saland Law, we work with schools to ensure these measures are not only implemented but meaningfully enforced. If your school is failing to take reasonable steps to protect you, legal action may be necessary to uphold your rights.

What Schools Are Required to Do When Harassment Occurs

When a school becomes aware, either through a report or observation, that a complainant is being harassed or bullied, the institution is legally obligated to take prompt and effective steps to stop the behavior, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects. This is more than an administrative courtesy. It is a duty under federal civil rights law.

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has made it clear that failure to take these steps is a Title IX violation in and of itself. The OCR can initiate investigations into schools that ignore or inadequately respond to post-complaint harassment. In egregious cases, schools can face funding consequences and reputational damage.

Legal counsel can play a critical role in ensuring that your institution complies with its obligations. Jeremy Saland has decades of experience dealing with institutions that may try to minimize or sidestep their responsibilities. Our firm steps in when a complainant is being ignored, mistreated, or pressured to stay silent.

When Harassment Escalates: Escalating to the Office for Civil Rights

If your school fails to adequately address the bullying or retaliation you’re experiencing, one option is to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. This federal agency has the power to investigate your institution and enforce compliance.

Complaints must generally be filed within 180 days of the last act of discrimination or retaliation. The process can be complex, especially when harassment is ongoing or subtle. That is why many complainants benefit from the guidance of an attorney who can organize the facts, draft the filing, and interface with federal investigators when necessary.

Saland Law can assist you in preparing a compelling OCR complaint and work to hold your school accountable at the federal level if internal procedures fail to protect your rights.

Parallel Proceedings: Criminal Charges and Civil Legal Protections

In some cases, harassment or bullying following a Title IX complaint may rise to the level of criminal behavior. Threats, stalking, physical assault, or online harassment can all be prosecuted under state law. Even if law enforcement does not file charges, civil protective orders may be available, depending on the jurisdiction.

While Title IX proceedings and criminal matters are separate, the two can overlap in meaningful ways. Saland Law is uniquely equipped to handle both aspects. As a former prosecutor, Jeremy Saland has the courtroom experience necessary to advise you on whether pursuing a criminal complaint is appropriate, and how it may impact your Title IX case.

If necessary, we can also help you apply for a civil restraining order or order of protection while your Title IX complaint is pending.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Having an attorney by your side dramatically improves your ability to assert your rights, obtain meaningful protective measures, and navigate the complexities of your school’s Title IX procedures. Many institutions have conflicting interests and may prioritize minimizing liability over your well-being. Without representation, complainants may find themselves silenced, blamed, or ignored.

At Saland Law, we do not allow that to happen. Our firm thoroughly reviews the details of your case, communicates with Title IX coordinators and school officials on your behalf, and demands accountability when the law is not followed. We also assist in gathering evidence, preparing statements, attending hearings, and ensuring that supportive measures are fully enforced.

Our goal is to restore your safety, dignity, and access to education while preventing further trauma. Whether you are still deciding whether to report or have already been retaliated against for doing so, our team is here to help.

Saland Law: A Focused Approach to Title IX

Too often, complainants feel abandoned after they report misconduct. They are met with procedural delays, institutional indifference, and sometimes even overt hostility. At Saland Law, we believe that every complainant deserves to be protected, heard, and treated with respect.

Jeremy Saland’s background as a criminal prosecutor gives our firm a unique perspective on the seriousness of sexual misconduct, the trauma faced by complainants, and the importance of safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Our legal team operates with discretion, diligence, and determination, whether your case involves sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, or harassment stemming from a Title IX complaint.

We offer confidential consultations nationwide. If your school has failed to protect you from retaliation or if you are being harassed for standing up against misconduct, we will fight to hold the institution accountable and ensure your safety moving forward.

Contact Saland Law for Help Today

Being subjected to harassment or bullying after filing a Title IX complaint can be deeply distressing; but it does not mean you are powerless. Title IX provides robust legal protections for complainants, and Saland Law is prepared to enforce those protections on your behalf. Whether your case involves ongoing retaliation, institutional failure, or the need for emergency protective measures, we are here to guide you with skill and compassion.

Contact Saland Law today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward reclaiming your voice and your safety. Let us help you protect your rights and your future.