For families, a misconduct allegation, especially one involving their child, can feel overwhelming, confusing, and scary. How a school responds following an allegation often determines whether trust can be preserved.

The words used in Title IX policies, notices, investigations, and conversations aren’t just technical terms. They carry specific legal meaning, shape expectations for all parties involved, and directly influence whether a school’s response is compliant, fair, and defensible.

More time online = more unsupervised interactions. Kids often spend hours messaging, gaming, scrolling, or joining new social spaces. With fewer structured activities, boundaries can blur quickly.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned from leading thousands of K-12 staff misconduct investigations is that most cases of serious misconduct do not start with a clear allegation of sexual assault.

Creating safer school communities begins with listening to students, but too often students stay silent about experiences of harm. Whether it's sexual misconduct, inappropriate behavior, or abuse, the reality is this: many students don’t disclose.

When these behaviors appear, especially alongside other warning signs, they should not be brushed off as “overly friendly.” They are red flags that need to be reported, investigated, and addressed early, so schools can step in before abuse occurs.

In the aftermath of an arrest, staff replay every interaction with the alleged offender. Parents worry about safety and wonder how no one saw any warning signs. Students hear rumors…

Under Title IX, every public school district and many private schools are required to display specific information prominently on their website so staff, students, and families know their rights, how to report concerns, and who to report them to. 

When it comes to Title IX and ensuring an impartial response to allegations of staff misconduct, combining roles can create its own set of conflicts and challenges.

At the heart of an institution’s compliance efforts is the Title IX Coordinator - a role that’s critical to fostering a safe, inclusive, and legally compliant environment for all students and employees.