SEATTLE — Title IX may be best known for mandating equal opportunities for men and women in college sports but the civil rights protection plays a vital role in investigating allegations of sexual misconduct on campus.
Five months before UW freshman Tylin "Tybo" Rogers’ was arrested for two suspected rapes, the investigation into the alleged incident was already underway.
Attorney Mark Blair has guided students through Title IX Investigations for more than a decade.
The process – enacted in 1972 as an extension of the Civil Rights Act – is an investigative body that looks into allegations of sexual discrimination including sexual assault.
“It’s not a civil court preceding it’s not a criminal court preceding it’s a matter that’s handled within the university,” Blair said. “If someone comes to them and say, 'I was raped on campus, sexual assaulted,’ law enforcement will be involved in that at some point.”
According to court documents, a woman filed a complaint with the school office of the Title IX coordinator in November 2023, the same month Rogers was suspended from team activities. He was allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl and National Championship Game the following month.
When Seattle police served a warrant on UW's Title IX office, there was no documentation of the reasons Rogers was temporarily taken off the roster, nor any written documentation of discipline.
“Title nine cases where there is a sexual assault or harassment will result in a full hearing – all cases have to go to a hearing,” Blair said.
In this case, what started as a confidential complaint within the university ended with a football player in handcuffs.
Police cannot investigate the validity of a rape allegation unless they’re made aware of it. But sadly, many young survivors do not come forward, according to the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.
"We do know that young people are the most vulnerable to sexual assault," said Kate Krug, CEO of the local nonprofit. "We also know that they are the least likely to come forward because they're the least likely to be believed.”
The court documents outlining the charges against Rogers describe alleged attacks on two women. He has not been convicted, but sexual assault advocates say what the alleged victims did in the hours and days after the attacks help build this case, including collecting their own evidence.
"It's really incredible when individuals are able to come forward and share about their sexual assault or sexual abuse," said Krug.
In the nonprofit's experience, the stories of young people are often not believed, and the cards are stacked against them. But Krug said that is why it is even more important to reach out so you can get the help you need.
If you or someone you know needs help, support or just information on the resources available, call the local 24-hour King County Sexual Assault Resource Line at 1-888-99-VOICE.