Sexual assault on college campuses is a major problem, in Florida and nationwide. The U.S. Justice Department reports that in an average year, one out of every 20 female college students will suffer a sexual assault, with roughly 80 to 90 percent of those involving an acquaintance.
As West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys, we recognize that beyond the criminal aspects of a case, there is often a question of civil liability. Sometimes, this surfaces in the form of failure to provide adequate security or have appropriate policies in place. We would also look at the possibility of a violation under Title X of the Education Amendments of 1972, specifically whether there has been an issue of deliberate indifference regarding the rape (or sexual harassment).
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a college or university that receives federal funds could be held legally liable to pay compensation to a victim of student-on-student sexual harassment or rape if the victim can prove that university officials acted with deliberate indifference to known acts in its programs or activities.
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