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sexual assault harassment

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SEXUAL ASSAULT/HARASSMENT POLICY

November 9, 2005

TO: New Faculty

FROM: Charles Prickett, District Compliance Officer

SUBJECT:  Information about Sexual Harassment

Following are some suggestions regarding the subject of sexual harassment. If you conscientiously try to implement these suggestions your sensitivity to the problem of sexual harassment should increase and the likelihood of your being accused of sexual harassment will decrease.  Ultimately, it is the increased sensitivity along with knowledge of the relevant laws and policies that will decrease the incidents of inadvertent sexual harassment, creating a more inclusive environment for all students and staff.

    1. You need to know the law and the District’s policies and procedures. You should be aware of the legal definition of sexual harassment and what it means: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a condition of an individual’s work or academic performance or the conduct has a negative impact on the individual’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

      Sexual harassment is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, California Education Code Sections 210 through 214, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and of Santa Rosa Junior College Policy 2.7.

      You also need to know that if a student or staff member comes to you in your official capacity with a sexual harassment problem, it is your responsibility to refer the individual to me and to notify me about the situation. Be wary of someone telling you about a sexual harassment situation “off the record.” Once you are aware of the situation it is “on the record” and the District has a responsibility to do something about it.

    2. DON’T TOUCH. If you are in the habit of touching, patting, or hugging curb the impulse. Touching can be a way to communicate support or encouragement, but only if it is welcome to both parties. Not everyone likes to be touched. Our students and staff come from a variety of cultures, and have a variety of histories and backgrounds; each person’s space should be respected and not invaded. Often the person being touched does not say anything, but his/her silence does not mean that your touch is welcome. Silence does not necessarily mean that the touching is welcome, it may signal fear, distaste, or a sense of powerlessness.

    3. DON'T MAKE SEXUAL JOKES OR COMMENTS. Do you tell jokes in class or make comments that are sexual in nature? Don’t. Even if students laugh at your jokes, it does not mean that they are not offended. They may just be putting up with it until the class is over and they feel less fearful about lodging a complaint.

      The same standard applies in nonclassroom venues on campus, such as offices, work areas, parking lots, etc. Sexual jokes or comments by any SRJC faculty or staff are inappropriate and unprofessional on any SRJC campus or site.

    4. FACULTY SHOULD USE SYLLABI FOR NOTIFICATION. If your discipline involves any kind of physical contact (i.e., physical education, health science) you would be wise to have a notice about this in your class syllabus. Such a notice, at the very least, demonstrates your concern as well as your professionalism. I would also suggest announcing this in class during the first week of the term.

      In a discipline dealing with sensitive subject matter that a student may find uncomfortable (i.e., sexual or gender issues in a psychology or health class) you may want to highlight this in your syllabus. This allows the student who may find such discussion uncomfortable the opportunity to transfer to another class.

    5. ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS.  If you believe a situation is developing in which you may be vulnerable to a charge of sexual harassment or you think you may be the target of sexually harassing behavior and you are not sure how to handle it, please contact me right away at ext. 4303. I may be able to suggest ways to defuse a potentially problematic situation.

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please feel free to contact me at any time (707) 527-4303.