Today, Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued guidance, for the first time, specifically advising schools, colleges and universities that their responsibilities under Title IX include protecting students from sexual violence.

According to a fact sheet included with the guidance, "Recent data shows nearly 4,000 reported incidents of sexual battery and over 800 reported rapes and attempted rapes occurring in our nation’s public high schools. Indeed, by the time girls graduate from high school, more than one in ten will have been physically forced to have sexual intercourse in or out of school."

The new guidance makes clear the legal obligation of any school, college or university receiving federal funds to respond quickly and effectively to sexual violence.

“Today we are strengthening our response to sexual assault in schools and on college campuses,” said Vice President Biden, according to a news release. “Students across the country deserve the safest possible environment in which to learn. That's why we’re taking new steps to help our nation’s schools, universities and colleges end the cycle of sexual violence on campus."

Go here to read the letter for schools and colleges nationwide regarding the new guidance.