Learning that your child may be experiencing sexual harassment at school can feel overwhelming. Many parents are unsure where to turn, what steps to take first, or how to protect their child without making an already difficult situation even more stressful.

In Massachusetts, students have important protections under both state and federal law. Public schools are required to respond to sex-based harassment and discrimination, and they are expected to act promptly when they become aware of conduct that may interfere with a student’s safety, well-being, or access to education.

At Kerstein and Konowitz Law Group, we understand how sensitive these matters can be. Our attorneys have advocated for clients across a wide range of industries and backgrounds, giving us the depth of experience needed to represent families thoughtfully, strategically, and effectively in school-related harassment matters.

What Counts as Sexual Harassment in a School Setting?

Sexual harassment in schools can take many forms. It may involve unwanted sexual comments, repeated inappropriate jokes, touching, pressure for sexual attention, sexual rumors, image-sharing, online harassment, or conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or humiliating educational environment.

Under Title IX, sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs is prohibited, and that includes certain forms of sexual harassment. Massachusetts public schools are also prohibited from discriminating against students on the basis of sex, and state regulations require schools to respond promptly when they have knowledge of harassment or discrimination.

Signs a Student May Need Help

Sometimes a child tells a parent directly what is happening. In many cases, the warning signs are less obvious.

Parents may notice:

• a sudden fear of going to school,
• anxiety about a certain class, bus route, or activity,
• withdrawal from friends or school involvement,
• changes in grades or attendance,
• sleep problems, mood changes, or increased distress around phones or social media,
• reluctance to explain interactions with another student or staff member.

Even if your child is unsure how to describe what happened, it is worth taking their concerns seriously and asking calm, open-ended questions.

What Parents Should Do First

If your child reports sexual harassment, the first goal is usually twofold: protect your child’s safety and preserve the facts.

Start by writing down what your child tells you, including dates, names, locations, screenshots, text messages, emails, or social media content if any exist. If there were witnesses, note that too. A clear timeline can be extremely helpful later if you need to report the issue formally or challenge how the school handled it.

In K-12 schools, Title IX rules require schools to respond when they have notice of possible sex discrimination or sex-based harassment, and schools must have a Title IX Coordinator. Supportive measures may be available even before a formal complaint is completed.

Filing a Complaint With the School

In many cases, the first formal step is reporting the issue to the school principal, a building administrator, or the district’s Title IX Coordinator. Public schools are expected to maintain procedures for handling complaints of discrimination and harassment, and families should be able to request information about how the complaint process works.

When filing a complaint, it often helps to include:

• a short summary of what happened,
• when and where it occurred,
• who was involved,
• whether the conduct is ongoing,
• how it is affecting your child’s education or emotional well-being,
• what immediate protections your child needs.

A written complaint creates a record. Even if you begin with a phone call, it is often wise to follow up in writing.

Building a Safety Plan for Your Child

One of the most important steps is creating a practical safety plan while the matter is being addressed. A safety plan should focus on helping your child continue accessing school as safely and comfortably as possible.

Depending on the circumstances, that may include:

• schedule adjustments,
• changes in seating arrangements,
• no-contact directives,
• adult check-ins during the school day,
• counseling support,
• escorted transitions between classes,
• changes to bus arrangements,
• restrictions on shared activities or spaces.

Federal guidance explains that supportive measures are intended to restore or preserve the student’s access to education and may be offered with or without a formal complaint. These measures should be individualized to the student’s needs.

Protecting the Student During the Process

Parents are often concerned that reporting harassment will make things worse. That concern is understandable, especially when a child is already feeling vulnerable. In some cases, students may experience retaliation, social pressure, or repeated exposure to the alleged harasser during the school’s investigation. Even so, reporting is often an important step because it puts the school on notice and gives administrators the opportunity — and responsibility — to respond. That can include supportive measures, steps to limit contact, and protections to help the student feel safer and more supported at school. While families may worry about upsetting an already difficult situation, reporting can be an important way to protect the student and preserve their right to learn in a safe environment.

That is why it is important to ask early, specific questions such as:

• Who is overseeing the response?
• What protections will be put in place immediately?
• How will the school prevent contact or retaliation?
• Who should the student go to during the day if another incident happens?
• How will the school communicate updates to the family?

If the school’s response is vague, delayed, or clearly inadequate, families may need to escalate the issue.

Massachusetts-Specific Options for Families

In Massachusetts, students in public schools are protected against discrimination in access to the advantages, privileges, and courses of study of public schools on the basis of sex, among other protected categories. State regulations also require public schools to strive to prevent harassment and discrimination and to respond promptly when they know it has occurred.

Depending on the situation, families may also have grounds to raise concerns through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Problem Resolution System or through other civil rights channels. Massachusetts also provides information about civil rights protections in schools through the Attorney General’s office.

If the alleged conduct involves possible abuse by a staff member or another reportable safety issue, additional reporting obligations may apply under Massachusetts mandated reporting rules.

Can Parents File Outside Complaints?

Yes. In some cases, families may choose to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR accepts complaints involving sex discrimination and retaliation in education. In general, OCR complaints ordinarily must be filed within 180 days of the last alleged act of discrimination, though extensions may sometimes be available for good cause.

That does not mean every case should go straight to OCR. Sometimes the best first step is working through the school’s own procedures while carefully documenting the response. In other situations, an outside complaint or legal review may be appropriate much sooner.

When to Consider Legal Guidance

Some school complaints are handled appropriately. Others are not.

It may be time to speak with an attorney if:

• the school minimizes the report,
• the conduct continues after reporting,
• your child is being blamed or pushed out,
• the school fails to offer meaningful protections,
• retaliation begins,
• a staff member is involved,
• the facts are disputed and the process feels unfair,
• your child’s education, safety, or emotional health is being seriously affected.

These cases are rarely just about a single incident. They are about making sure the student is protected, the family is heard, and the school fulfills its legal responsibilities.

How Kerstein and Konowitz Law Group Can Help

At Kerstein and Konowitz Law Group, we are committed to protecting the rights of students and families when schools fail to respond appropriately to serious concerns. We understand the legal and practical challenges that can arise when a student becomes the victim of sexual harassment in an educational setting.

Our attorneys have advocated for a wide range of clients and industries, giving us the experience and perspective needed to represent families in sensitive school matters with care and strength. Whether you need help understanding the school’s obligations, preparing a complaint, reviewing a safety plan, or responding to an inadequate investigation, our firm is prepared to guide you.

Final Thoughts

When a child is facing sexual harassment at school, parents should not feel like they have to guess their way through the process. In Massachusetts, schools have legal obligations to address sex-based harassment, respond to complaints, and protect students’ access to education. Families also have options when a school’s response falls short.

Taking early, thoughtful action can make a meaningful difference in both the immediate safety of the student and the long-term outcome.