Coaches play an important role at modern universities. Many of the most successful colleges in Michigan, including the University of Michigan and Michigan State University (MSU), have major athletic programs. They employ dozens of professors, coaches and support professionals.
Most of those professionals do their jobs well. They want to encourage physical fitness and mental excellence. They pursue their jobs out of passion for a particular educational subject or sport. Unfortunately, there are some people drawn to positions of authority out of a desire to abuse others. Sexual predators often seek out careers in the educational sector.
Being an instructor or coaching gives them intimate access to students. Is a college or university legally responsible if coaches or professors groom students?
Students have legal protection against sexual abuse
Under Title IX, students generally have protection from sexual discrimination and harassment. Those protections do not just relate to other students. They also protect students from misconduct by university employees.
Those in positions of authority should not use their careers to manipulate or coerce students into sexual acts or relationships. Professors or coaches who groom students violate Title IX and Michigan state civil rights law. They take advantage of those who trust them for personal gratification.
Colleges must respond proactively to student complaints. The law requires an investigation when students make credible allegations of sexual misconduct. In fact, colleges have to provide support to students who experience sexual assault and harassment on campus.
They generally have the right to counseling services. The affected students can ask to change the classes they take or their housing arrangements. Students typically also have the right to notify law enforcement. Colleges cannot demand that students bypass legal prosecution to handle the matter on campus.
Athletic scenarios can be a bit more complex, as financial aid may depend on the students’ continued involvement with the program. That being said, the college should make every reasonable effort to investigate and protect students from ongoing abuses of authority.
Particularly in scenarios where the university does not properly investigate, attempts to hide the misconduct or fails to support the student, there may be grounds for legal action. The recent lawsuits brought against MSU by those abused by Larry Nassar serve as an example of how the civil courts can help those who experience Title IX violations.
Discussing the grooming behavior of a college professor or coach can help students and their parents determine their options. They may need to file a lawsuit and pursue the prosecution of the professional engaged in sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct toward student athletes.
What are your remedies if you or a loved one is harmed by the grooming behavior of a coach or professor? Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller, P.L.L.C. that emotional distress damages are not available under Title IX. Experienced attorneys like those at Roumel Law have otherwise been successful in advancing other claims that do provide survivors with appropriate damages, against both public and private schools.