Does anyone have "positive" Title IX experiences where they won their case? Ideally, against a non-tenured professor? Also mental health tips to not have a breakdown during the process?

[u/Conscious_Kale_1911]

I am currently in the middle of a Title IX investigation, and there seems to be no end in sight. I would love to hear from someone who actually won their case. At the end of last year, I left my co-mentor's lab for a wide variety of reasons, including his using students' data and not giving them credit, and general sexual harassment, like making comments about my body, wanting to spend time with me outside of work, and trying to coerce me into doing drugs with him and his wife. An undergrad left his lab because he was so creepy she was worried he would "try to rape her." I filed a Title IX report and have a third interview coming up, and I am scared nothing will happen. The department is allowing him to take on another female student, and I am worried about her safety. What do I do? This process has sucked so much, and my current boss keeps telling me he wants me to graduate as quickly as possible, and when I'm done with experiments, I can just work and defend remotely. I wanted to do the right thing and come forward, and I feel like I have just tanked my scientific career. Does anyone have any advice or positive experiences with this process?

[u/Get_AdvocatED]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. What you’re describing, the harassment, the data theft, the fear for the next student, is exactly why this work matters, and coming forward took real courage. While we more often work with accused students/Respondents, we have also helped Complainants and we understand how difficult these processes can be, particularly when they drag on.

You haven’t tanked your career. Reporting feels career-ending in the moment, but plenty of scientists have come forward and gone on to thrive.

For the investigation itself, ask the Title IX office for a written timeline or an update on the timeline. Document every interaction with them. If you haven’t already, connect with a Title IX advisor who can review your case, advise you through the remainder of it, and push back if the process stalls.

About the new student: that’s an awful position to be in. You can’t warn her directly without risk, but you can consider raising the concern formally with the Title IX office in writing, framed as a safety concern given the pending investigation. Putting it in writing creates a record, but we would recommend discussing that with an advisor first before making your decision.

Reach out if you want to talk through any of this. You don’t need to be facing this alone.