Title IX
Non-Discrimination Statement
Southwestern Law School prohibits discrimination based on sex in its employment, educational programs, extracurricular activities, or other programs. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination. Sexual harassment is also prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 amendments to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics (“Clery Act”), and other applicable statutes. The Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy (“Policy”) prohibits all forms of sex-based discrimination, harassment, and misconduct, including sexual assault, non-consensual sexual contact, intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation, and stalking. All covered conduct will be referred to in this Policy as “Prohibited Conduct.”
This Policy applies to all members of the Southwestern community regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It covers both educational and employment contexts, including admissions and job applicants. Other forms of discrimination and harassment that are not sex-based are covered by Southwestern’s Policy to Prevent Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.
Southwestern expects all members of the Southwestern community to maintain and facilitate a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment on campus. All Southwestern community members should take reasonable and prudent steps to prevent or stop Prohibited Conduct. The Law School supports individuals who choose to take such action, and this Policy prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports, complains about, or otherwise participates in good faith in any matter related to this Policy.
Grievance/Reporting Procedures for issues related to Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy:
Refer to section E “Reporting” of the Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy:
How to make a report to Southwestern Law School
The Law School strongly encourages all individuals to seek assistance from a medical provider or law enforcement immediately after an incident of sexual violence. This is the best option to ensure preservation of evidence and to begin a timely investigative and remedial response. The Law School also strongly encourages all individuals to make a report to the Law School and to local law enforcement, although neither is required. These reporting options are not mutually exclusive. Both internal and criminal reports may be made simultaneously.
The Law School has a strong interest in supporting survivors of sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence and strongly encourages all individuals or third party witnesses to report any incident to the Law School.
Reporting Parties and third party witnesses are encouraged to report Prohibited Conduct as soon as possible in order to maximize the Law School’s ability to respond promptly and effectively. The Law School does not, however, limit the timeframe for reporting. If the Respondent is not a member of the Southwestern community, the Law School will still seek to take steps to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects, but its ability to take disciplinary action against the Respondent will, of course, be limited.
Reports can be made to the following individuals:
Title IX Coordinator: Sabrina Calica TitleIX@swlaw.edu (213) 738-6738
Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Maximillian Holt TitleIX@swlaw.edu (213) 738-6628
At the time a report is made, a Complainant does not have to request any particular course of action, nor does a Complainant need to know how to label what happened. Choosing to make a report, and deciding how to proceed after making the report, can be a process that unfolds over time. The Law School provides support that can assist each individual in making these important decisions, and will respect an individual’s autonomy in deciding how to proceed to the extent legally possible. In this process, the Law School will balance the individual’s interest with its obligation to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all members of the Law School community.
The Law School will respond to all reports of Prohibited Conduct in a fair and impartial manner. A Complainant, a Respondent, and all individuals involved will be treated with dignity and respect. In response to all reports of Prohibited Conduct, the Law School will make an immediate assessment of any risk of harm to the Complainant, Respondent, or to the broader campus community and will take steps necessary to address those risks. These steps may include supportive measures to provide for the safety of the individual and the campus community