Sexual Assault Allegations on Western PA College Campuses

By Amy B. Levenson Jones

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Sex Crimes

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Last Modified on Dec 06, 2025

Sexual assault allegations on Western PA college campuses can have severe consequences on your future. Sexual misconduct can also result in Title IX violations, and accusations can lead to criminal charges. Understanding the allegations against you and the laws regarding misconduct can help you safeguard your rights.

What Are Title IX Violations?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and related activities. Title IX can be used to determine consequences for offenders when sexual assault occurs on a college campus, such as Pennsylvania Western University, the University of Pittsburgh campuses, Carnegie Mellon University, or one of over 5,000 other universities. Reach out to a Title IX attorney in Pennsylvania for more info.

Unlike criminal charges, Title IX offenses must relate to educational programs or activities. Some common forms of sexual harassment or assault that could constitute a Title IX violation include:

• Unwanted sexual behavior or sexual touch
• Offensive, severe, or pervasive comments about a person’s sex
• Harassment based on someone’s sex that interferes with their education
• Offering educational benefits in exchange for sexual favors
• Sexual assault or coercion
• Attempted or completed rape

Understanding the Difference Between Criminal Charges and Title IX Violations

Sexual assault makes up 43% of all on-campus crimes. Sexual assault can lead to both criminal charges and Title IX action, or only one of these penalties. Criminal charges enforce Pennsylvania law and require proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Title IX violations have a lower standard of proof and are only meant to enforce federal civil rights laws in schools. They do not need to be connected to broader criminal charges.

If you receive criminal charges, law enforcement will investigate whether you have broken state law. If you are convicted of sexual assault in Pennsylvania, you may face claims from victims on top of criminal penalties, such as:

• Jail or prison time
• A permanent criminal record
• Registration on the sex offender registry
• Employment restrictions
• Losing professional licenses and certifications

If you are facing Title IX allegations, the school’s Title IX coordinators and campus administrators will investigate to determine if you violated regulations. While the school can’t impose as severe penalties as a judge in a criminal trial, the consequences for Title IX violations can be life-changing and include:

• Suspension or expulsion from an education program
• Scholarship loss
• Degree revocation or withholding
• Loss of tenure or termination from a faculty or staff position
• Difficulty finding future employment
• Damage to your personal or professional reputation

Why You Should Hire a Sexual Assault Lawyer

Regardless of whether you are facing Title IX violations, criminal charges, or both, a Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer is a good source of guidance for your case. A sexual assault attorney can:

• Explain what your allegations are and the possible penalties. A lawyer can help you understand whether you have criminal charges or a Title IX allegation, and what the legal process is for your Western PA sexual crimes case. They can also review your case to determine what penalties you may face, as they often vary based on your circumstances, criminal history, and severity of the offense.
• Protect your rights. During an investigation with law enforcement, a lawyer can protect your right against self-incrimination and unreasonable searches and seizures. A lawyer’s presence can also prevent police misconduct that stems from being unfamiliar with your rights.
• Collect evidence. A lawyer can gather evidence, such as witness statements, security camera footage, police reports, or DNA evidence. This evidence can be used to support their defense, challenging charges and allegations against you.
• Argue for lower penalties or dropped charges. In some cases, a lawyer can negotiate for dismissed charges. They do this by questioning whether a Title IX coordinator has uncovered sufficient evidence or by highlighting incorrect DNA evidence in a police investigation. If this is not possible, a lawyer can use their negotiation skills to achieve lower penalties.

Specific actions will look different for every case, but a Pennsylvania sex crimes attorney can determine what would be most effective for your situation.

FAQs

Does Title IX Cover More Than Sexual Assault?

Yes, Title IX covers many things other than sexual assault. Title IX helped raise the percentage of women participating in collegiate athletics from 15% to 44%. Title IX also applies to the admissions and recruitment process, housing facilities, financial aid opportunities, and many other areas. Title IX provides additional protections against retaliation for people reporting misconduct.

Does Title IX Apply Off-Campus?

Yes, Title IX applies when off-campus, but still must be related to a university-controlled or sponsored activity. For example, Title IX still applies if discriminatory action took place via school-owned electronics or digital platforms, off-campus property like fraternity or sorority houses, on a school trip, or on a school-sponsored off-campus event. This also applies to selecting students for research programs or study abroad opportunities.

How Has Title IX Influenced the Way Colleges and Universities Deal With Sexual Assault?

Title IX has increased a school’s involvement in investigating, reporting, and penalizing sexual assault. Title IX mandates colleges and universities to name a Title IX coordinator and train other personnel to investigate instances of discrimination. This prevents the indifference towards discrimination that many universities had before Title IX. Title IX also led universities to provide support to victims of discrimination, such as counseling and no-contact orders.

Does Title IX Only Protect the Students?

Title IX protects everyone involved in an educational program. This includes students, employees, applicants, parents and guardians, and anyone else who experiences discrimination during an educational program. It applies to discrimination in academic programs as well as extracurricular activities. Regardless of your status at a school, you should hire a sexual assault lawyer if you were assaulted on a school campus, even if you are not a student.

Learn How the Levenson Law Firm Can Help

Facing allegations of sexual assault can be frightening and leave you with concerns about your future. With over 20 years of experience defending against these kinds of charges, the Levenson Law Firm is dedicated to providing compassionate guidance and defense. Contact us today to learn how experienced legal representation can help you through sexual assault allegations.