Filed Date: Feb. 21, 2013
Closed Date: 2013
Clearinghouse coding complete
On February 21, 2013, an undergraduate student at Hanover College filed a complaint with the US Department of Education, Chicago Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The complainant alleged that the College violated Title IX by failing to respond promptly and equitably to the sexual assault she experienced at the hands of a fellow student. Specifically, she alleged that when she reported her sexual assault to campus security officials, they responded by threatening to arrest her if she had any contact with the alleged perpetrator. Additionally, she alleged that the school destroyed evidence that would have proved the perpetrator’s responsibility, and instead admitted irrelevant and prejudicial evidence against her. On March 31, 2013, the complainant made additional allegations of retaliation: specifically that the College refused to provide her with copies of the documents related to her case.
On May 22, 2013, OCR notified Hanover College officials that it was opening an investigation into the discrimination and retaliation complaints. Officials agreed to participate in Early Complaint Resolution where the parties would attempt to resolve the complaint through mediation.
On August 23, 2013, the parties reached an agreement to remedy the complainant’s allegations. Specifically, Hanover College agreed to:
In exchange for the College taking the above actions, the complainant agreed to consider her allegations totally resolved. OCR closed the complaint in response to the agreement. However, in the event that the complainant felt the College had breached its agreement, she maintained the right to file a new complaint with OCR. OCR would follow up on any complaint by investigating the original allegations, rather than just the breach. The investigation is now closed.
Summary Authors
Hope Brinn (1/3/2019)
McPherson, TiShaunda
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:26 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Indiana
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Title IX, Sexual Violence Investigations/Resolutions
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 21, 2013
Closing Date: 2013
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A student at Hanover College who was sexually assaulted by a fellow student.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Hanover College (Hanover, Jefferson), Non-profit or advocacy
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Content of Injunction:
Implement complaint/dispute resolution process
Issues
Discrimination-basis:
Affected Sex or Gender:
Type of Facility: