A former football player from Troy University recently filed a lawsuit against the university, three coaches, and a former teammate. The player accuses the defendants of engaging in sexual harassment and bullying while on the football team. Specifically, the plaintiff alleges sexual harassment in the form of verbal harassment, homophobic slurs, and sexual violence. The lawsuit also alleges physical violence and sexual assault. The plaintiff alleges that he sought help from three coaches throughout these events and that they failed to prevent the harassment and assault.
The lawsuit alleges that the named coaches told the plaintiff that he was bringing the harassment on himself. The plaintiff alleges that he has been diagnosed with anxiety and prescribed anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication due to sexual harassment. He also withdrew from the university in December 2020. The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages for Title IX violations, discrimination, sexual harassment, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He alleges that he still feels pain and suffered physical injuries from the sexual assault for five months. Troy University has denied the allegations and intends to fight them in court.
Filing a Lawsuit for Sexual Harassment on a College Football Team
Unfortunately, sexual misconduct, harassment, and assaults continue to happen across Alabama colleges and throughout the country. Many undergraduate students report experiencing some type of sexual assault, rape, or harassment while they are on college campuses. Unfortunately, a number of these cases are never reported.
Suppose you have been the victim of sexual harassment or assault while playing a college sport or while living on campus as a student. It is essential that you discuss your case with an attorney. You may have a legal right to pursue compensation for your damages while holding the responsible party accountable for their actions.
What is Title IX?
Victims of sexual assault on college campuses have more support than they have in the past, but navigating the process of pursuing a claim is still challenging. As a student-athlete, you have Title IX legal protections. Title IX states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
If gender-based harassment or discrimination has occurred at your college or university, the school must reasonably take steps to protect you as a victim from the accused perpetrator. They are also required to provide support and services to help you safely finish your education. Students should not have to drop out of college because they’ve been experiencing sexual harassment, assault, and bullying.
What to Do After a Sexual Assault as a Student Athlete
Fighting sexual assault and harassment on school campuses, including as a student-athlete, requires a comprehensive approach. You are entitled to certain protections if you experience sexual violence on campus. Sexual violence can include attempted or completed rape, sexual coercion, sexual assault, and sexual battery. When a sexual act occurs against the victim’s will, the victim cannot give consent due to drugs or alcohol or is otherwise unable to provide consent. Sexual violence has occurred.
Sexual violence can also include stalking, verbal or physical threats paste on sexuality, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and intimate partner violence. When sexual violence occurs, educational institutions are required to track the instances and Report crime statistics. If the institution learns of such violence, it must take specific actions to protect the victim and other students.
These steps can include requiring no contact between the victim and the offending party, making changes to a student’s employment and housing arrangements, informing the student of confidential support services, and protecting the victim from retaliation. Unfortunately, many universities and colleges fail to take all the actions required after a student reports sexual violence. You must talk to an attorney if you’ve experienced sexual violence on campus. Your attorney can help you in force and protect your rights.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Alabama Attorney
At Heninger Garrison Davis, our Title IX lawyers have extensive experience representing College victims of abuse, assault, and misconduct. We can help you understand your legal options and navigate administrative Title IX pretty names. We can help you file a civil lawsuit for sexual harassment or assault when necessary.
Our attorneys know how to pursue the most compensation possible against schools that have failed to properly investigate claims of Campus sexual violence or who failed to protect victims who reported violence. Contact Heninger Garrison Davis as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.
