2017-2018 Student Handbook

SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF STUDENTS (GBA/JFHA)

A. Definition: Any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other inappropriate verbal, visual, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature whenever such harassment occurs on school property or at a school- sponsored event. B. General: The intent of the Carroll County School Board is to maintain a working and learning environment that is free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is deemed unacceptable conduct in the employment and educational environment and will not be tolerated. It shall be a violation of this policy for any student, employee or agent of the Division to harass another student, employee, agent of the Division or any other person, through conduct or communications of a sexual nature, as defined below. It is no defense to a claim of sexual harassment that the alleged harasser did not intent to harass. (JFHA) 1. Staff to Student Harassment a. For the purposes of this policy, staff to student “sexual harassment” is defined as any welcomed or unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal, visual, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature. b. To prevent harassment from occurring and because it is the policy of this Division to foster healthy teacher-student relationships, amorous relationships between a School Division employee or agent and a student are prohibited. c. A substantiated charge against an employee or agent of the Division shall subject such employee or agent to disciplinary actions which may include but are not limited to verbal warnings, letters of reprimand, transfers, suspension with or without pay, and dismissal. 2. Student to Student Harassment, Staff to Staff Harassment, Student to Staff Harassment and Any Other Personal Harassment a. For the purposes of this policy, student to student, staff to staff, student to staff, and any other personal “sexual harassment” is defined as any unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other inappropriate verbal, visual, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature whenever such harassment occurs on school property or at a school-sponsored event. b. A substantiated charge against the student shall subject that student to disciplinary actions including verbal warnings, reprimand, counseling, suspension or expulsion, consistent with this Student Handbook. c. A substantiated charge against an employee or agent of the Division shall subject such employee or agent to disciplinary actions which may include but are not limited to verbal warnings, letters of reprimand, transfers, suspension with or without pay, and dismissal. 3. Behaviors That Constitute Sexual Harassment Sexually harassing behaviors, as defined above, may include but are not limited to the following actions:

unwelcome sexual physical contact

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• unwelcome ongoing or repeated sexual flirtation or propositions, or remarks • sexual slurs, leering, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments or sexually degrading descriptions • graphic comments about an individual’s body • sexual jokes, notes, stories, drawings, gestures or pictures • spreading sexual rumors • touching an individual’s body or clothes in a sexual way • displaying sexual objects, pictures, cartoons or posters • impeding or blocking movement in a sexually intimidating manner • sexual violence • display of written materials, pictures, or electronic images • unwelcome acts of verbal, nonverbal, written, graphic, or physical conduct based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, sex or sex stereotyping

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