A month after reaching an agreement mandating new student safety measures in a Los Angeles County school district, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an alert Wednesday reminding K-12 schools across the state of their legal obligation to prevent and address sexual harassment and abuse in education programs and activities.
Bonta also launched a new web page and Know Your Rights alert in six languages reminding California families and students of their rights under California law, encouraging them to immediately report incidents of sexual harassment, assault and abuse, and providing information on what to expect in addressing such complaints.
“Sexual harassment, assault and abuse in schools is far too common and completely unacceptable,” Bonta said in a statement. “Every student has a right to a safe learning environment, and it is the duty of our school districts — along with a moral obligation — to step off the sidelines and be a part of the solution.”
According to recent data, in just one school year, school districts across the country reported 2,700 incidents of sexual assault, 350 incidents of rape or attempted rape, and 17,000 allegations of harassment on the basis of sex. Between 2019 and 2023, California school districts paid an estimated $2 billion to $3 billion to student victims of sexual abuse by employees, the AG said.
“It’s time to turn up the volume and reject the quiet acceptance of these incidents,” Bonta said. “We owe it to our community and especially to our children to ensure that all sexual misconduct is adequately addressed. I encourage all survivors, past and present, to understand their rights, come forward, and help us put an end to sexual harassment, assault and abuse — my office has your back.”
Last month, Bonta’s office announced a settlement with the El Monte Union High School District to address critical and systemic shortfalls in the district’s response to allegations and complaints of sexual harassment, assault and abuse of students.
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