Sexual Harassment Awareness Training Radford City Public Schools

Sexual Harassment Awareness Training Radford. City Public Schools

Forms of Harassment n n n Sexual Racial Religious Disability National Origin All these forms of harassment are illegal and a violation of Civil Rights.

Harassment Laws n Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act n Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendment

The most common form of harassment in schools: Sexual Harassment

What is your responsibility? As an employee, you are obligated to foster a working environment that is free of sexual harassment. n As an employee of the Radford City Public Schools, it is your duty to provide a learning environment that is free of sexual harassment. n

What is considered sexual harassment? n Any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, whether the behavior is written, verbal or physical.

Two Types of Sexual Harassment: n “Quid pro quo” harassment occurs when a school employee causes a student to believe that he/she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct in order to participate in a school program or activity. It can also occur when an employee causes a student to believe that the employee will make or will influence an educational decision based on whether or not the student submits to unwelcome sexual conduct.

Hostile Environment “Hostile environment” harassment occurs when unwelcome sexually harassing conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it impacts a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an education program or activity, or creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment. n

Verbal forms of Sexual Harassment Sexual or gender based jokes or teasing n Using language such as “honey” “babe” n Wolf whistles or derogatory language n Rumors about a person’s sex life n Comments about a person’s body n Derogatory comments based on gender n

Sexual harassment may include: Display of obscene posters, cartoons, pin-ups n Obscene e-mails, text messaging, and other forms of computer generated communications n Offensive models, statues, structures n Inappropriate clothing n

Physical Forms of Sexual Harassment Inappropriate touching n Grabbing and/or fondling n Purposefully rubbing up against another person n Massaging or stroking another person n Stalking n

Points of Information The number of sexual harassment claims by males is increasing. n “I didn’t mean anything by it” is not a valid defense to excuse offensive behavior. n

What are the standards for education employees? Local School Board Policies n State Board of Education Requirements Code of Ethics, Standards of Professional Conduct n State Statutory Requirements n Federal Laws n

Who is impacted by allegations of employee misconduct? The employee n The employee’s family n Students n School and school division n School Board n Potential employees n

What are the possible results of employee misconduct or alleged misconduct? n n n n Embarrassment to employee and employee’s family Suspension Resignation/dismissal License revoked Civil suit Difficulty in future employment Criminal charges Jail

Sexual harassment can be a “career killer” Promote a work and learning environment that is free from harassment of any type. n Report any and all incidents to the appropriate school administrator. n

Radford City Public Schools Employee Verification of Sexual Harassment Training n n I viewed the Sexual Harassment training presentation. I understand the types of behavior that can result in allegations of sexual harassment. I understand that sexual harassment of students, colleagues, and others in the Radford City Public Schools is absolutely forbidden. I understand that this type of conduct will result in disciplinary action. ________________Employee’s Printed Name ________________Employee’s Signature ________________Date (This is slide number 17. Print out this form, sign, date, and send to the Assistant Superintendent. ) 9 -14 -2010