Which actions can be considered sexual harassment under Title IX?

• A. Sexual violence or sexual touching
• B. Sexual comments
• C. Coercion
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Sexual harassment under Title IX includes unwelcome sexual conduct that interferes with a student’s education or creates a hostile environment. The actions listed—sexual violence or sexual touching, sexual comments, and coercion—can each be forms of harassment when they are unwelcome and severe or pervasive enough to affect the learning environment or access to education. Sexual violence or touching is a clear form of harassment because it involves unwanted sexual contact. Sexual comments can contribute to a hostile environment through repeated, offensive remarks about someone’s body or sexuality. Coercion involves pressuring someone to engage in sexual activity or to comply with requests as a condition for benefits or to avoid negative consequences. Because any of these can be unlawful when unwelcome and targeted at someone because of their sex, the best answer is that all of the above can be considered sexual harassment under Title IX.