Title IX is part of an education bill that outlaws discrimination or exclusion based on sex in public schools. Violating this results in a loss of federal financing or fines.

During the 90's and 00's, the courts ruled that sexual harassment constitutes an exclusion based on sex, and a failure to address it is a Title IX violation. In 2011, a government agency tasked to enforce civil rights laws published a "Dear Colleagues" letter clarifying what steps are necessary to ensure compliance in sexual harassment cases.

And this caused universities to set up what amount to kangaroo courts to adjudicate sexual harassment complaints