U.S. Department of Education Probes Loudoun County Public Schools Over Alleged Bathroom Filming Incidents

Today, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated a directed investigation into Loudoun County Public Schools (Loudoun) in Virginia amid reports that a high school student may have taken photos and videos of dozens of underage students in school bathroom stalls over the course of three years. The investigation will determine whether Loudoun violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) by failing to prevent and properly redress allegations of sexual harassment.

The alleged incidents, currently under investigation by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, follow a slew of alarming issues pertaining to Loudoun's oversight of intimate spaces. Last year, OCR determined that Loudoun violated Title IX by allowing students to occupy intimate facilities based on 'gender identity,' not biological sex, and by retaliating against male students for reporting sexual harassment claims concerning the presence of a female in male facilities.

"Loudoun County - yet again - appears to demonstrate its profound dereliction of responsibility to protect its students' privacy and dignity. After repeatedly subjecting its minor students to the presence of members of the opposite sex in their intimate facilities, Loudoun reportedly stood idly by while an individual repeatedly recorded students, including minors, while undressed and using the restroom," said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey. "The Trump Administration will not stop fighting to restore common sense, hold administrators accountable when they sacrifice students' wellbeing to a radical ideology, and ensure all students can learn in an environment free from discrimination."

Background

In July 2025, OCR found that five Northern Virginia School Divisions (Divisions), including Loudoun County, violated Title IX by having policies which allow students to occupy intimate facilities based on 'gender identity,' not biological sex.

In August 2025, to ensure that the Divisions expend taxpayer dollars consistent with federal law, the Department designated Loudoun and the remaining the Divisions as "high-risk" entities and placed them on reimbursement status for all Department funds, totaling over $50 million.

In September 2025, OCR concluded Loudoun County failed to meaningfully investigate complaints of sexual harassment by two male students concerning the presence of a member of the opposite sex in male-only intimate spaces and the female's recording of the two males in the facilities, yet thoroughly investigated the female student's sexual harassment complaint about the boys. Earlier this year, the boys won a settlement with the Loudoun County School Board.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.