California Attorney General Rob Bonta is urging K-12 school districts across the state to take stronger action to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, assault, and abuse, reminding them of their legal obligations under state law.
In a legal alert issued April 22, Bonta emphasized that schools must actively stop misconduct, address harm, and prevent future incidents under laws including the California Education Code and the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. The alert also coincides with the launch of a multilingual “Know Your Rights” resource to help families understand reporting processes and available support.
“Sexual harassment, assault, and abuse in schools are far too common and completely unacceptable. 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,” said Bonta.
The announcement comes amid troubling data. Nationwide, schools reported thousands of incidents in a single year, including 2,700 sexual assaults and 17,000 allegations of sex-based harassment. In California, districts paid an estimated $2 billion to $3 billion to student victims between 2019 and 2023.
Under state law, school districts must immediately investigate reports, notify parents or guardians, and report suspected abuse to law enforcement or child welfare agencies. They are also prohibited from retaliating against students who come forward and must act even if complaints are submitted informally.
“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.”
The alert also highlights a new requirement under Senate Bill 848 mandating school safety plans by July 1, 2026, reinforcing the state’s push to protect students and strengthen accountability in schools.
