A federal judge has dismissed a Title IX lawsuit against Kent State University over allegations of mishandling a sexual abuse complaint.
The lawsuit brought against the university and former coach Karen Linder by Lauren Kesterson, a former softball player, alleged both the parties of not addressing her Title IX complaint against the coach’s son.
The U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi on Monday ruled against Kesterson saying that the court didn’t find any evidence that indicates slackness on the part of the university.
“There is absolutely no evidence in the record that would support a finding that Kent State chose to ignore Title IX’s mandate for equal education opportunities,” Lioi said in her ruling.
According to the lawsuit filed in 2016, Kesterson reported the incident to Linder in 2014, who in turn asked her to maintain silence. She later filed an official complaint with Erin Barton, university’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Department Title IX head, in August 2015.
Linder resigned from his position as the head softball coach after the university officials interviewed him regarding the accusations.
“The record is clear that Kent State acted quickly and decisively once Barton was made aware of the 2012 assault and Linder’s failure to report it,” the court ruled.
While lauding the judgment, the university said, “This judgment reinforces what we have said from the beginning: Kent State University followed all rules and procedures under Title IX in support of our students. The judgment speaks for itself.”
Meanwhile, Kesterson’s attorney Ashlie Sletvold said that they would appeal against the ruling and “hold Kent State accountable for their actions.”
